US8571881B2 - Radiopharmaceutical dispensing, administration, and imaging - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the apparatus including a container (22) containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and a portable computer-communicatable data carrier (120, 24) associated with the container (22), the data carrier (120, 24) containing imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Other embodiments are also described.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/IL2006/000562, filed May 11, 2006, entitled, “Unified management of radiopharmaceutical dispensing, administration, and imaging,” which is a continuation-in-part of:

(i) International Application PCT/IL2005/001215, filed Nov. 16, 2005; and

(ii) International Application PCT/IL2005/001173, filed Nov. 9, 2005, which:

(a) claims the benefit of the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications:

• • 60/625,971, filed Nov. 9, 2004;
  • 60/628,105, filed Nov. 17, 2004;
  • 60/630,561, filed Nov. 26, 2004;
  • 60/632,236, filed Dec. 2, 2004;
  • 60/632,515, filed Dec. 3, 2004;
  • 60/635,630, filed Dec. 14, 2004;
  • 60/636,088, filed Dec. 16, 2004;
  • 60/640,215, filed Jan. 3, 2005;
  • 60/648,385, filed Feb. 1, 2005;
  • 60/648,690, filed Feb. 2, 2005;
  • 60/675,892, filed Apr. 29, 2005;
  • 60/691,780, filed Jun. 20, 2005;
  • 60/700,318, filed Jul. 19, 2005;
  • 60/700,299, filed Jul. 19, 2005;
  • 60/700,317, filed Jul. 19, 2005;
  • 60/700,753, filed Jul. 20, 2005;
  • 60/700,752, filed Jul. 20, 2005;
  • 60/702,979, filed Jul. 28, 2005;
  • 60/720,034, filed Sep. 26, 2005;
  • 60/720,652, filed Sep. 27, 2005; and
  • 60/720,541, filed Sep. 27, 2005, and

(b) is a continuation-in-part of the following International Patent Applications:

• • PCT/IL2005/000572, filed Jun. 1, 2005; and
  • PCT/IL2005/000575, filed Jun. 1, 2005.

International Application PCT/IL2006/000562 claims the benefit of the following U.S. Provisional Applications:

• • 60/750,287, filed Dec. 13, 2005;
  • 60/750,334, filed Dec. 15, 2005; and
  • 60/750,597, filed Dec. 15, 2005.

The present patent application claims the benefit of the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications:

• • 60/800,845, filed May 17, 2006, entitled, “Radioimaging camera for dynamic studies”;
  • 60/800,846, filed May 17, 2006, entitled, “Radioimaging protocols”;
  • 60/816,970, filed Jun. 28, 2006;

The present application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part of:

• • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000059, filed Jan. 15, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000562, filed May 11, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/001511, filed Dec. 28, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/001291, filed Nov. 29, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000840, filed Jul. 19, 2006; and
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000834, filed Jul. 19, 2006, which claims priority from:
    • U.S.Provisional Application 60/799,688, filed May 11, 2006, entitled, “Imaging protocols”;
    • U.S.Provisional Application 60/763,458, filed Jan. 31, 2006;
    • Israel Application 171346, filed Oct. 10, 2005; and
    • Israel Application 172349, filed Nov. 27, 2005.

All of the above-mentioned applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pharmaceutical management and control, and specifically to systems and methods for radiopharmaceutical dispensing, administration, and imaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0277833 to Williams, Jr., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for handling, mixing, dispensing and/or injecting a mixture into an individual during a medical procedure. The mixture contains pharmaceutical agents and/or radiopharmaceutical agents. Also described is a mixing device capable of diluting a radiopharmaceutical agent with, for instance, a diluent, for altering a radiation dose emitted by the radiopharmaceutical agent.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0203389 to Williams, Jr., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for an operator to control an injection device and imaging equipment from a common control console. The injection device may be used to administer a contrast medium into a patient so that imaging equipment can acquire internal images of the patient. An injection system is bundled with software and/or hardware that is used to modify an existing imaging control console so that it can be used to operate both the injection device and imaging device. In one embodiment, the common control console can access stored protocols that can contain operational parameters for the injection device, the imaging device, or both.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,142 to Lee, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for dispersing quantities of radioactive material at a user location. Billing is accomplished by monitoring the decay of material and the degree of activity following each user withdrawal.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0261938 to Silverbrook et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for authenticating a pharmaceutical product, the pharmaceutical product being associated with packaging having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the pharmaceutical product and at least part of a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The method includes having a computer system receive indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device being responsive to sensing of the coded data to generate indicating data at least partially indicative of the identity of the pharmaceutical product and the signature part. The computer system determines the identity at least one determined signature part and uses these to authenticate the pharmaceutical product.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0261936 to Silverbrook et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for allowing a user to interact with a pharmaceutical product, the pharmaceutical product associated with packaging having disposed thereon or therein coded data, at least some of the coded data being indicative of at least an identity. The method includes having a computer system receive indicating data from a sensing device, in response to sensing of the coded data, and determine, using the indicating data, at least one action. The computer system then performs the action associated with the pharmaceutical product, the action including at least one of providing information to a user; updating tracking information relating to the pharmaceutical product; performing a transaction relating to the pharmaceutical product; authenticating the pharmaceutical product; and receiving feedback from the user.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,882,338 and 6,019,745 to Gray, which are incorporated herein by reference, describe a medical syringe comprising a cylindrical barrel having therein a plunger which can be axially driven by a plunger rod. The plunger rod passes through an aperture in the center of a finger grip having two finger grip projections at opposite sides thereof. A data carrier means in the form of an electrically or magnetically operable device is mounted near the end of one of the two finger grip projections, with preferably a device mounted near the end of each finger grip projection. The device carries data relating to the medicament contained or to be contained within the syringe, and can be read by a suitably adapted syringe pump when the syringe is mounted thereon to be driven by the syringe pump.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,970,735 to Uber, III et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient, including a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control an imaging procedure, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,781,442, 6,671,563, 6,915,170, and 6,731,989 to Engleson et al., which are incorporated herein by reference, describe a care management system in which the management of the administration of care for patients is automated. Hospital information systems are monitored and the information from those systems is used in verifying the administrations of care to patients. The care management system monitors ongoing administrations for progress and automatically updates records and provides alarms when necessary. The care management system is modular in nature but is fully integrated among its modules. Particular lists of data, such as the termination times of all ongoing infusions, provide hospital staff current information for increased accuracy and efficiency in planning. Features include the automatic provision of infusion parameters to pumps for accurate and efficient configuration of the pump, and providing an alarm when an unscheduled suspension of an infusion exceeds a predetermined length of time. A passive recognition system for identifying patients and care givers is described.

US Patent Application Publication 2003/0055685 to Cobb et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for monitoring administration of a medical product within a delivery device using a medicine data storage device attached to the delivery device, which includes a product identifier identifying the medical product and an intended patient identifier identifying a patient intended to receive the medical product. Before administering the medical product to an individual patient, the product identifier and the intended patient identifier are uploaded into a reader, and a patient identifier is accessed from the reader's memory or uploaded from a patient identification device associated with the individual patient into the reader. The patient identifier is compared with the intended patient identifier to determine whether the individual patient is intended to receive the medical product. Once it is confirmed that the individual patient is intended to receive the medical product, the medical product is administered to the individual patient.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0131270 to Weil et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a system including a radiation treatment agent to treat tissue in response to received X-ray radiation and an identifier associated with the radiation treatment agent. The identifier may be usable to identify a radiation treatment plan. In some embodiments, a radiation treatment plan associated with a patient is generated, the radiation treatment plan is associated with an identifier and a patient identifier identifying the patient, a radiation treatment agent is prepared for delivery to the patient according to the radiation treatment plan, and the radiation treatment agent is associated with the identifier.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,870 to Martucci et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a medication delivery system comprising a medical container holding a prescribed medication to be delivered to a patient, a tag adapted to be worn by the patient, a handheld computing device, and an electronic medication delivery device. Data on the medication is contained in a first label on the medication container. The first label also contains the instruction on how the medication is delivered to the patient, including the appropriate settings for an electronic medication delivery device for delivering the medication to the patient. Patient data is contained in a second label on the tag worn by the patient. The medication data, medication delivery instruction, and patient data are provided in machine readable formats. The handheld computing device reads the medication data and the medication delivery instruction on the medication container and the patient data on the patient tag. The handheld computing device stores the information obtained and performs a matching check to confirm that the medication data matches with the patient data. Upon a confirmed match, it transmits the medication delivery instruction to the electronic medication delivery device, which downloads the instruction, programs the delivery device, and prompts an operator to begin delivering the medication to the patient according to the downloaded instruction.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0029277 to Tachibana, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a drug container having an identification tag fixed or detachably provided at a predetermined position of the container, the tag having recorded thereon drug data on a kind and a concentration of a drug, and upper and/or lower limits of a flow rate for continuous infusion, or time and flow rate for one-shot administration.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0277911 to Stewart et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for programming a medical therapy in a medical device. The medical device has a controller, a memory, a processor, and an input device. The memory is preloaded with at least one of a plurality of patient profiles and condition profiles. The memory is further preloaded with an associated medication therapy for a plurality of the profiles. The input device receives profile data, comprising at least one of a patient profile data and a condition profile data for a specific patient, and the processor processes the received profile data and provides as output one of the preloaded medication therapies based on the processed profile data.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,155 to Sluis, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an ultrasound imaging system including a data entry device that reads storage media that is assigned to each patient on which the system is to be used or the operator of the system to obtain ultrasound images. The storage media, which comprises a barcode, smartcard, or personal digital assistant, contains patient identifying information. The patient or procedure identifying information is used to access a digital requisition that is referenced by the patient identifying information. The digital requisition is stored in a disk drive included in the ultrasound imaging system or in a clinical information system accessed through a communication link included in the ultrasound imaging system. The digital requisition includes information pertaining to an ultrasound examination procedure that is to be performed on the patient, which is used to automatically set up the ultrasound imaging system. The digital requisition may also include the patient's medical history or information about the patient that can be associated with ultrasound images obtained from the patient.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0121505 to Metz et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes patient-centric data acquisition protocol selection systems and methods, and identification tags therefor. A patient-centric data acquisition protocol selection system comprises a programmable identification tag capable of allowing predetermined information about a patient to be stored therein and retrieved therefrom; a medical imaging system capable of communicating with the programmable identification tag; and programming associated with the medical imaging system for selecting an optimal data acquisition protocol. The medical imaging system reads information from the programmable identification tag and then the programming selects an optimal data acquisition protocol based, at least in part, on the predetermined information about the patient that is stored in the programmable identification tag.

PCT Publication WO 04/004787 to Van Naemen et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for dispensing individual doses of a radiopharmaceutical solution, which consists of a radioactive parent solution diluted with a diluting solution. Also described is a computer-generated dose dispenser for dispensing individual doses of a radiopharmaceutical solution at a specified speed. The method and device are described as being particularly suitable for use in the field of nuclear medicine, and more in particular for use for PET scan applications.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,155 to de la Huerga, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes techniques for administering a prescribed medication to a patient. A medication administration system and apparatus dispense the prescribed medication, verify that the medication is given to a correct patient by an authorized healthcare worker, and track and record the administration of the medication. The system utilizes a workstation connected to a database containing prescribed medication dose information for various patients. A healthcare worker uses the workstation to manually or automatically dispenses the medication the portable container. An information device is secured to the portable container during transport and administration of the medication to the intended patient. The information device prevents access to the medication or warns the healthcare worker of a potential error if the medication is delivered to the wrong patient or administered by an unauthorized healthcare worker. The information device records actual consumption information, and delivers this information back the workstation database or to a hospital or pharmacy database.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,506 to Coutre et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an infusion management and pumping system. Infusion prescriptions are generated and monitored by a pharmacy management system. Labels for each infusion to be given to a patient are generated and printed in a barcode format. Each label contains data regarding a prescribed infusion program, including the drug or drugs to be infused, the infusion regimen, the expiration date, and the patient to whom the infusion is to be administered. The management system checks for incompatibilities between drugs that are being prescribed for simultaneous infusion. Each label generated by the management system is attached to the container which holds the infusion solution. The data on the label is transferred to an infusion pumping system by a barcode reader at the infusion pumping system. The pumping system checks that all necessary data has been entered. During operation, the pumping system checks for a variety of alarm conditions and stores any alarms in a ranking according to urgency. The infusion pumping system is responsive to remote or biofeedback instructions to alter the planned infusion program. Central computer records processing receives infusion data and provides infusion, inventory, and use analysis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,863 to Matsuno et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an automatic radioisotope filling apparatus, which is equipped with a radioisotope vial containing a radioisotope solution, a saline vial containing a physiological saline solution, a dilution vial to which a predetermined amount of the radioisotope solution and a predetermined amount of the physiological saline solution are to be transferred to prepare a diluted radioisotope solution, a radiation detector for measuring the radioactive intensity of the diluted radioisotope solution prepared in the dilution vial, and a plurality of label vials containing a drug to be labeled.

US Patent Application Publication 2004/0051368 to Caputo et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a system for delivering medical fluid to a patient. The system includes a medical container including a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag storing data related to the medical fluid therein. A RF reader receives data signals transmitted from the RFID tag that include a desired flow rate for delivering the fluid to the intended patient. A pump coupled to the reader includes a pumping mechanism for pumping the medical fluid from the container, and a pump controller for receiving the data including the desired flow rate from the reader. The pump controller automatically controls the pumping mechanism to pump the medical fluid from the medical container at the desired flow rate based upon the data.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0171815 to Vanderveen, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a centralized medication management system for monitoring, managing and controlling medication delivery from a central location. A central computer displays medication orders and ongoing medication administrations for a health care facility. The central computer checks medication delivery against a database of medication administration guidelines, including guidelines for medication interactions with other medications and with patient conditions, and provides an indication of any detected incompatibilities. A clinician at the central location may adjust the medication administration parameters in response to detected incompatibilities and communicate with a caregiver at the point of care to provide decision support. In an embodiment, the central location is a pharmacy at the healthcare facility.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0240441 to Suzuki, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a hospital information system. The system enables an RF reader, comprising a personal digital assistant (PDA), to read tag information recorded by RF tags either attached to, or embedded in, various types of a patient wrist bands, injection medicine bottles, patient charts, and medical instrument cases. The PDA transmits a query to a server via a wireless LAN for confirmation from the server. The server collates the query with the content of a medical practice order recorded in its data base, and registers a completion of instructed operation for an instructed item in the database, and replies with a notification if the transmitted readout data from the PDA is correct. If the readout data is incorrect, the PDA is notified and instructed to perform another reading.

US Patent Application Publication 2001/0049608 to Hochman, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an automated drug administering system such an injection device or infusion pump, which is provided with means for reading information from a container holding the drug. The information is then checked for accuracy before the administration of the drug. Optionally, an ID tag on the patient and/or the health care professional providing the drug may also be scanned and checked. The information thus gathered is sent to another station where it is logged for future use and analyzed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,202 to Hirschman et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes apparatus for sharing information on syringe configuration between syringes and injector systems, comprising a storage system to store encoded information on syringe configuration. The encoded information is readable by a detection circuit in an injector. In one embodiment, the storage system is an electronic storage system in which information relevant to the syringe configuration is encoded. A method comprises the step of conveying syringe configuration information to a detector in an injector for use with the syringe.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0148869 to Masuda, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a liquid syringe having various kinds of data items recorded in a two-dimensional code format. A liquid injector optically reads the two-dimensional codes, decodes them, and executes a predetermined operations corresponding to the decoded results. Recording, for example, a variable pattern for the liquid of interest in the two-dimensional code format on the liquid syringe makes it possible for the liquid injector to inject the liquid in accordance with the predetermined variable pattern.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,886 de la Huerga, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an electronic identification apparatus having data storage memory on board a removable transceiver device. The transceiver device also includes a processor and a transponder for receiving information pertaining to the object/person to which it is attached and storing the information in memory. The transceiver also transmits stored data to a control computer or the external devices. The transceiver is mounted on a base, such as a wristband, and the apparatus includes an attachment sensor indicating whether the transceiver is attached to the base. If the transceiver has been removed from the base, the processor performs one or more lockdown operations to prevent the stored data from being used in connection with another object or person. The lockdown operations include clearing the contents of the memory, disabling access to the memory, suppressing the display of stored data and activating an alarm.

US Patent Application Publication 2004/0156081 to Bril et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a color-coded signature, for securing documents or encrypting images. The encrypted image comprises an array of printed positions formed using a group of inks each of which has a predetermined spectrum. The positions are selected to form a predetermined image, either real or virtual, when the image is viewed through an optical processor. The optical processor may further use a distorted grating or a distorted lens. The correct image is the spectrum, as distorted by the optical processor. An image formed using inks having the same colors as experienced by the human eye, or even by a standard spectrometer will fail to form the correct predetermined image.

The following patents and patent application publications, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, may be of interest:

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments of the present invention, an end-to-end automated system for medical imaging comprises a plurality of integrated elements that are configured to electronically exchange information among one another. The elements include an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing system, a portable radiopharmaceutical agent container (which, for some applications, is information-bearing), a portable information-bearing joining element, a patient management system, a portable patient-specific data carrier, an automated administration system, and an automated imaging system. The systems perform their respective automated functions at least in part responsively to the exchanged information. The elements typically authenticate one another via the exchanged information, in order to ensure that only authorized elements participate in the system, and that the systems perform only authorized and appropriate functions.

The exchanged information typically includes patient-specific data, radiopharmaceutical agent-specific data, and/or patient- or radiopharmaceutical agent-specific imaging protocol data. Such data enable the systems to customize their respective automated functions for specific patients, radiopharmaceutical agents, indications, and/or imaging procedures. For some applications, the exchanged information includes commercial license information relating to the use of a specific protocol with a specific radiopharmaceutical agent, and one or more of the systems are configured to verify the license information before performing their respective functions.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the information-bearing radiopharmaceutical agent container, the information-bearing joining element, and/or the patient-specific data carrier is configured to contain protocol information for performing an imaging procedure using the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent held by the container. For some applications, the protocol information includes SPECT imaging protocol information, and the imaging system uses the protocol information to perform a SPECT imaging procedure using the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container. For some applications, the agent container contains a single dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, which dose is appropriate for use with the imaging protocol.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the information-bearing radiopharmaceutical agent container, the information-bearing joining element, or the patient-specific data carrier is configured to contain at least one kinetic parameter of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container. The imaging system uses the kinetic parameter to perform a dynamic SPECT imaging procedure.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the information-bearing radiopharmaceutical agent container contains radiopharmaceutical information regarding the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container. Alternatively, the information-bearing joining element contains radiopharmaceutical information regarding labeled radiopharmaceutical agents contained in one or more respective containers coupled to the joining element. The portable patient-specific data carrier is configured to contain patient information regarding the patient, and imaging protocol information for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, such as SPECT imaging protocol information. The imaging system uses the protocol information to perform an imaging procedure, such as a dynamic SPECT imaging procedure. For some applications, the patient-specific data carrier comprises a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient. For example, the coupling mechanism may comprise a bracelet, a watch, a necklace, or another wearable article.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the information-bearing radiopharmaceutical agent container and/or the information-bearing joining element contains a first identifier value, and the patient-specific data carrier contains a second identifier value. The imaging system is configured to perform an imaging procedure responsively to a detection of a correspondence between the first and second identifier values. For some applications, the first identifier value equals the second identifier value, while for other applications the values do not equal one another, but instead correspond to one another based on information provided by an element of the end-to-end system. For some applications, the first and/or second identifier values are arbitrarily assigned, or pre-loaded into the data carrier by a manufacturer or distributor, while for other applications at least one of the identifier values comprises a patient identifier, or another meaningful value. For some applications, at least one of the information-bearing agent container, the information-bearing joining element, and the patient-specific data carrier performs the detection of the correspondence, while for other applications the imaging system or another element of the end-to-end system performs the detection of the correspondence.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the information-bearing joining element is removably couplable to an injector of the automated administration system. The joining element is configured to be coupled to respective radiopharmaceutical agent containers, such that the containers are in fluid communication with tubing of the joining element. The tubing of the joining element merges the liquid pumped from the containers by the injector, and is removably coupled to an infusion line to the patient. The joining element comprises a data carrier that stores patient-specific information, radiopharmaceutical-related information regarding the radiopharmaceuticals contained in the containers coupled to the joining element, administration protocol information, and/or imaging protocol information. For some applications, at least a portion of such information is read by the administration system and the imaging system. Typically, neither the administration system nor the imaging system write to the data carrier, such that the data carrier does not serve as a communication interface between the imaging system and the administration system.

For some applications, the administration system is programmed with a list of actions the injector is capable of performing, such as actuating each of the syringe pumps at certain rates, and ceasing such actuations. Each of these actions is associated with an identifier code. The imaging system reads administration protocol information from the patient-specific data carrier and/or the data carrier of the joining element. To execute the administration protocol, the imaging system signals the administration system to drive the injector to perform each of the actions specified by the administration protocol, by sending the corresponding identifier code from the imaging system to the administration system at the desired time of the action.

For other applications, the administration system reads administration protocol information from the data carrier of the joining element. The administration protocol includes a plurality of steps associated with actions of the injector, each of which steps has associated therewith a step identifier code. For example, the step identifier codes may simply sequentially number the steps of the administration protocol. To execute the administration protocol, the imaging system signals the administration system to drive the injector to perform each of the actions specified by the administration protocol, by sending the corresponding step identifier code from the imaging system to the administration system at the desired time of the action.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the imaging system comprises a SPECT imaging system configured to utilize the information contained in the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent container, the information-bearing joining element, and/or the patient-specific data carrier to customize at least one function of the system selected from the group consisting of: administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, acquisition of a SPECT image of the patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is administered, reconstruction of the SPECT image, analysis of the SPECT image, and diagnosis of a condition of the patient based at least in part on the analysis.

The integration of the elements of the end-to-end system, and the exchange of authenticatable information among the elements generally increase patient safety, by ensuring that each patient receives the prescribed labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and dosage, and undergoes the desired imaging protocol. For some applications, one or more elements of the end-to-end system are configured to perform their respective function only upon being triggered by another element of the system. For example, the administration or imaging system may perform its function only upon being triggered by the information-bearing radiopharmaceutical agent container, by the information-bearing joining element, by the patient-specific data carrier, and/or, in the case of the administration system, by the imaging system.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing system comprises an information manager that is configured to receive radiopharmaceutical information regarding a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and patient information regarding a patient. Responsively to the information, the dispensing system automatically dispenses a dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to an agent container, and stores the radiopharmaceutical information and at least a portion of the patient information in a data carrier associated with the container, and/or in a data carrier associated with the joining element. For some applications, the radiopharmaceutical information is selected from the group consisting of: imaging protocol information for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, such as a SPECT imaging protocol; at least one kinetic parameter useful for performing a dynamic SPECT imaging procedure using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent; and authenticatable information regarding a commercial license for use of a SPECT imaging protocol with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing system is configured to receive a mother vial containing a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in a quantity sufficient for preparation of a plurality of doses of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Associated with the mother vial is a data carrier containing information regarding the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, such as the formulation, radioactivity information, and protocol information. The information manager of the dispensing system receives at least a portion of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent information from the data carrier.

In some embodiments of the present invention, use of the end-to-end automated system enables customization of one or more aspects of the imaging process, from dispensing to diagnosis. Customization typically includes one or more of the following:

• • The dispensing system customizes the dispensed dose for a specific patient, based on radiopharmaceutical information and patient-specific information. Typically, the dispensing system customizes the dispensed dose (e.g., the radioactivity level thereof) based in part on the scheduled time of the scheduled time of administration of the dose, and/or the scheduled time of the imaging procedure to be performed using the dose.
  • The administration system customizes the administered dose for a specific patient, based on radiopharmaceutical information and patient-specific information. For some applications in which the administration system customizes the administered dose, the radiopharmaceutical agent container contains a standard, non-customized dose.
  • The imaging system customizes image acquisition, image reconstruction, image analysis, and/or diagnosis, based on radiopharmaceutical information and patient-specific information, such as patient physiology and/or known and/or suspected disease of the patient.

Such customization is typically based at least in part on information provided by the manufacturer or distributor of the radiopharmaceutical agent. Such information may be in the form of lookup tables and/or expert system rules.

As used in the present application, including in the claims, “labeled” means radiolabeled, and “unlabeled” means not radiolabeled.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the apparatus including:

a container containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent; and

a portable computer-communicatable data carrier associated with the container, the data carrier containing imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

For some applications, the apparatus includes a device configured to write the imaging protocol information to the data carrier.

For some applications, the data carrier additionally contains administration protocol information useful for administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. For some applications, the administration protocol information and the imaging protocol information specify a protocol using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, which protocol has a total duration, including administration and image acquisition, of less than 30 minutes, and includes at least one rest phase and at least one stress phase. For some applications, the total duration is less than 25 minutes, such as less than 20 minutes, or less than 16 minutes.

In an embodiment, the imaging protocol information includes instructions for performing an imaging procedure using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Alternatively or additionally, the imaging protocol information includes an identifier of an imaging protocol. Further alternatively or additionally, the imaging protocol information includes a parameter of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Still further alternatively or additionally, the imaging protocol information includes a parameter useful for configuring at least one aspect of an imaging procedure performed using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In an embodiment, the container contains a single dose of the radiopharmaceutical agent, which dose is appropriate for use with the imaging protocol information. Alternatively, the container contains a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents mixed together. For some applications, the container is shaped so as to define a plurality of chambers, each of which contains a respective one of a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

In an embodiment, the data carrier includes a first data carrier, which contains a first identifier value, the apparatus further includes a second computer-communicatable data carrier, which contains a second identifier value, and the apparatus is configured to operate responsively to a detection of a correspondence between the first and second identifier values. For some applications, at least one of the first and second data carriers is configured to perform the detection of the correspondence. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus includes a correspondence-detection element configured to perform the detection of the correspondence.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second data carriers contains an identifier of a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered.

For some applications, at least one of the first and second identifier values includes an identifier of a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered.

In an embodiment, exactly one of the first and second data carriers includes a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an imaging system including imaging functionality, the imaging system configured, responsively to the detection of the correspondence, to drive the imaging functionality to perform an imaging procedure using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a portable joining element, which is configured to be coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to the container, and the data carrier is physically coupled to the joining element. For some applications, the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent includes a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, the container includes a plurality of containers containing respective ones of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and the imaging protocol information contained in the data carrier is for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

In an embodiment, the joining element includes tubing, which is configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the plurality of containers.

For some applications, the data carrier additionally contains administration protocol information useful for administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

For some applications, the apparatus includes:

an administration system, which includes:

• • an injector, configured to be coupled to the container; and
  • an administration control unit; and

an imaging system, which includes:

• • a communication element, configured to receive, from the data carrier, the administration protocol information, which specifies injector actions of an administration procedure associated with respective action identifier codes; and
  • an imaging control unit, configured to communicate, responsively to the protocol information, the action identifier codes to the administration system at respective appropriate times,

wherein the administration control unit is configured to:

• • store a list of the injector actions associated with the respective action identifier codes,
  • receive the action identifier codes communicated by the imaging control unit, and
  • responsively to the action identifier codes, drive the injector to perform corresponding injector actions, including administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container.

For some applications, the apparatus includes:

an administration system, which includes:

• • an injector, configured to be coupled to the container;
  • a communication element, configured to receive, from the data carrier, the administration protocol information, which specifies a list of steps of an administration protocol associated with respective step identifier codes; and
  • an administration control unit; and

an imaging system, which includes an imaging control unit, which is configured to communicate the step identifier codes to the administration system at respective appropriate times,

wherein the administration control unit is configured to:

• • receive the step identifier codes communicated by the imaging control unit, and
  • responsively to the step identifier codes, drive the injector to perform corresponding injector actions, including administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container.

In an embodiment, the data carrier is physically coupled to the container. For some applications, the data carrier contains an identifier of a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered, and the imaging protocol information includes imaging protocol information selected for the patient. For some applications, the imaging protocol information includes an identifier of an imaging protocol.

For some applications, the imaging protocol information includes imaging protocol information customized for the patient.

In an embodiment, the imaging protocol information includes SPECT imaging protocol information, such as dynamic SPECT imaging protocol information. For some applications, the SPECT imaging protocol information includes at least one kinetic parameter of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the at least one kinetic parameter useful for performing a dynamic SPECT imaging procedure using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an imaging system, which includes a communication element, configured to read the imaging protocol information from the data carrier; and a control unit, including imaging functionality, which is configured to perform an imaging procedure, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier by the communication element.

In an embodiment, the imaging system includes a camera, the imaging functionality includes image acquisition functionality, and the image acquisition functionality is configured to perform an image acquisition procedure using the camera, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier by the communication element. For some applications, the image acquisition functionality configures a total acquisition time of the image acquisition procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information. Alternatively or additionally, the camera includes a plurality of detectors, and the image acquisition functionality is configured to configure, at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information, at least one motion of at least one of the detectors during the image acquisition procedure. For some applications, the control unit is configured to configure, at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information, a waiting time between administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and commencement of the image acquisition procedure. For some applications, the image acquisition functionality is configured to perform a gated image acquisition procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information.

In an embodiment, the imaging functionality includes image reconstruction functionality, and the image reconstruction functionality is configured to perform an image reconstruction procedure, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier by the communication element.

In an embodiment, the imaging functionality includes image analysis functionality, and the image analysis functionality is configured to perform an image analysis procedure, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier by the communication element.

In an embodiment, the imaging functionality includes diagnosis functionality, and the diagnosis functionality is configured to perform a diagnostic procedure, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier by the communication element.

In an embodiment, the imaging procedure includes a three-dimensional dynamic imaging study, and the imaging functionality is configured to perform the three-dimensional dynamic imaging study, and to configure the study at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier by the communication element.

In an embodiment, the data carrier is not physically coupled to the container, and the data carrier contains an identifier of a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered. For some applications, the data carrier includes a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient. In an embodiment, the data carrier includes a first data carrier, and the apparatus further includes a second computer-communicatable data carrier physically coupled to the container, the second data carrier containing radiopharmaceutical information regarding the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use with one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, the apparatus including:

one or more containers respectively containing the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents;

a portable joining element, which is configured to be coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to the containers; and

a portable computer-communicatable data carrier physically coupled to the joining element, the data carrier containing imaging protocol information for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and administration protocol information for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

For some applications, the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents include a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, the one or more containers include a plurality of containers containing respective ones of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and the imaging protocol information and the administration protocol information contained in the data carrier are for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

In an embodiment, the joining element includes tubing, which is configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the plurality of containers.

For some applications, the administration protocol information includes instructions for performing an administration procedure using the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents. Alternatively or additionally, the administration protocol information includes an identifier of an administration protocol.

For some applications, the imaging protocol information includes instructions for performing an imaging procedure using the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents. Alternatively or additionally, the imaging protocol information includes an identifier of an imaging protocol.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the apparatus including:

a container containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent; and

a computer-communicatable data carrier associated with the container, the data carrier containing authenticatable information regarding a commercial license for use of SPECT imaging protocol information with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an imaging system, which includes:

a communication element, configured to read the authenticatable license information from the data carrier;

a control unit, including imaging functionality, the control unit configured to:

authenticate the authenticatable license information, and

only upon authentication, drive the imaging functionality to perform an imaging procedure using the SPECT imaging protocol information.

For some applications, the apparatus includes a device configured to write the authenticatable license information to the data carrier.

For some applications, the data carrier is physically coupled to the container.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus including a portable computer-communicatable data carrier containing authenticatable information regarding a commercial license for use of SPECT imaging protocol information.

For some applications, the data carrier additionally contains patient information regarding a patient upon whom an imaging procedure using the SPECT imaging protocol information is to be performed.

For some applications, the authenticatable license information is encrypted.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an imaging system, which includes:

a communication element, configured to read the authenticatable license information from the data carrier;

a control unit, including imaging functionality, the control unit configured to:

authenticate the authenticatable license information, and

only upon authentication, drive the imaging functionality to perform an imaging procedure using the SPECT imaging protocol information.

For some applications, the apparatus includes a device configured to write the authenticatable license information to the data carrier.

For some applications, the data carrier includes a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to a patient upon whom an imaging procedure using the SPECT imaging protocol information is to be performed.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus including:

a first portable computer-communicatable data carrier containing a first identifier value;

a second portable computer-communicatable data carrier containing a second identifier value; and

an imaging system including imaging functionality, the imaging system configured, responsively to a detection of a correspondence between the first and second identifier values, to drive the imaging functionality to perform an imaging procedure on a patient.

For some applications, at least one of the first and second data carriers is configured to perform the detection of the correspondence. Alternatively or additionally, the imaging system includes a correspondence-detection element configured to perform the detection of the correspondence.

For some applications, at least one of the first and second data carriers contains an identifier of a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered.

For some applications, at least one of the first and second identifier values includes an identifier of a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered.

In an embodiment, one of the first and second data carriers includes a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to a patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is to be administered.

For some applications, the apparatus includes a device configured to write at least one of the first and second identifier values to the respective first and second data carriers.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second data carriers contains radiopharmaceutical information regarding at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the imaging system includes a communication element, configured to read the radiopharmaceutical information from the at least one of the data carriers, and the imaging system is configured to configure the imaging procedure at least in part responsively to the read radiopharmaceutical information. For some applications, the apparatus includes a container containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. For some applications, one of the first and second data carriers is physically coupled to the container.

In an embodiment, the imaging functionality includes a nuclear camera. For some applications, the nuclear camera includes a SPECT camera.

There is yet further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use with first and second portable computer-communicatable data carriers containing first and second identifier values, respectively, the apparatus including an imaging system, which includes:

imaging functionality; and

a control unit configured to drive the imaging functionality to perform an imaging procedure on a patient, responsively to a detection of a correspondence between the first and second identifier values.

For some applications, the imaging system includes a correspondence-detection element configured to perform the detection of the correspondence.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient, the apparatus including:

a container containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent;

a first computer-communicatable data carrier physically coupled to the container, the first data carrier containing radiopharmaceutical information regarding the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent; and

a second portable computer-communicatable data carrier containing patient information regarding the patient, and imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

For some applications, the imaging protocol information includes SPECT imaging protocol information.

For some applications, the patient information includes an identifier of the patient.

For some applications, the second data carrier includes a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient.

For some applications, the first data carrier contains a first patient identifier, the patient information contained in the second data carrier includes a second patient identifier, and the apparatus includes an administration system, which includes:

a first communication element, configured to read the first patient identifier from the first data carrier;

a second communication element, configure to read the second patient identifier from the second data carrier; and

a control unit, configured to compare the first patient identifier to the second patient identifier, and, upon detecting a match, generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container.

For some applications, the first data carrier contains a first protocol identifier, the imaging protocol information contained in the second data carrier includes a second protocol identifier, and the apparatus includes an administration system, which includes:

a communication element, configured to read the first and second protocol identifiers from the first and second data carriers, respectively; and

a control unit, configured to compare the first protocol identifier to the second protocol identifier, and, upon detecting a match, generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container.

For some applications, the first data carrier contains a first protocol identifier, the imaging protocol information contained in the second data carrier includes a second protocol identifier, and the apparatus includes an administration system, which includes:

a first communication element, configured to read the first protocol identifier from the first data carrier;

a second communication element, configured to read the second protocol identifier from the second data carrier; and

a control unit, configured to compare the first protocol identifier to the second protocol identifier, and, upon detecting a match, generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an administration system, which includes:

a communication element; and

a control unit, configured to:

generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container, and

drive the communication element to transmit information regarding the administration to the second data carrier.

For some applications, the apparatus includes a device configured to write the imaging protocol information to the first data carrier. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus includes a device configured to write the patient information to the second data carrier.

In an embodiment, the imaging protocol information includes imaging protocol information selected for the patient. For some applications, the imaging protocol information includes an identifier of an imaging protocol. For some applications, the imaging protocol information includes imaging protocol information customized for the patient.

In an embodiment, the first data carrier contains a first patient identifier, the patient information contained in the second data carrier includes a second patient identifier, and the apparatus includes an administration system, which includes:

a communication element, configured to read the first and second patient identifiers from the first and second data carriers, respectively; and

a control unit, configured to compare the first patient identifier to the second patient identifier, and, upon detecting a match, generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the container.

For some applications, the administration system includes an automated administration device, configured to administer the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to the patient upon being triggered by the administration signal.

For some applications, the control unit is configured to generate the administration signal to trigger the administration of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent by instructing a healthcare worker to administer the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to the patient.

There is yet additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient, the apparatus including:

a container containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent;

a computer-communicatable data carrier associated with the container, the data carrier containing data regarding at least one of: the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and the patient; and

a SPECT imaging system including:

• • a communication element, configured to read the data; and
  • a control unit, configured to utilize the read data to customize at least one function of the system selected from the group consisting of: administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, acquisition of a SPECT image of the patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is administered, reconstruction of the SPECT image, analysis of the SPECT image, and diagnosis of a condition of the patient based at least in part on the analysis.

For some applications, the data carrier contains the data regarding the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Alternatively or additionally, the data carrier contains the data regarding the patient.

For some applications, the control unit is configured to utilize the read data to customize the administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is configured to utilize the read data to customize the acquisition of a SPECT image of the patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is administered. Further alternatively or additionally, control unit is configured to utilize the read data to customize the reconstruction of the SPECT image. Still further alternatively or additionally, the control unit is configured to utilize the read data to customize the analysis of the SPECT image. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit is configured to utilize the read data to customize the diagnosis of a condition of the patient based at least in part on the analysis.

For some applications, the apparatus includes a device configured to write the data to the data carrier.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a SPECT imaging system for use with a container containing at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient, and data regarding at least one of: the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and the patient, the system including:

a communication element, configured to read the data; and

a control unit, configured to utilize the read data to customize at least one function of the system selected from the group consisting of: administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, acquisition of a SPECT image of the patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is administered, reconstruction of the SPECT image, analysis of the SPECT image, and diagnosis of a condition of the patient based at least in part on the analysis.

For some applications, the system includes a device configured to write the data to the container.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing system for use with a container and a computer-communicatable container data carrier associated with the container, the system including:

a robot, configured to manipulate the container;

a communication element; and

a control unit, configured to:

• • receive radiopharmaceutical information regarding at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the radiopharmaceutical information selected from the group consisting of: imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and authenticatable information regarding a commercial license for use of an imaging protocol with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent,
  • receive patient information regarding a patient,
  • drive the robot to automatically dispense a dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to the container, and
  • drive the communication element to transmit to the container data carrier at least a portion of the radiopharmaceutical information and at least a portion of the patient information.

For some applications, the control unit is configured to receive the radiopharmaceutical information regarding a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and drive the robot to automatically dispense respective doses of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents to the container.

For some applications, the patient information includes an identifier of an imaging protocol assigned to the patient for performance using the dose, and the control unit is configured to drive the communication element to transmit the imaging protocol identifier to the container data carrier.

For some applications, the control unit is configured to drive the communication element to transmit to the container data carrier at least one of: a time of dispensing of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to the container, and information regarding a radioactivity of the dose at the time of dispensing.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes:

a mother vial that contains the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent prior to dispensing thereof, and

a computer-communicatable mother vial data carrier associated with the mother vial, which mother vial data carrier contains the radiopharmaceutical information,

and the control unit is configured to receive the radiopharmaceutical information from the mother vial data carrier.

For some applications, the radiopharmaceutical information includes the imaging protocol information. For some applications, the imaging protocol information includes SPECT imaging protocol information, which may include at least one kinetic parameter of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In an embodiment, the radiopharmaceutical information includes the authenticatable information regarding the commercial license. For some applications, the information regarding the commercial license includes information regarding the commercial license for use of a SPECT imaging protocol with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. For some applications, the control unit is configured to authenticate the authenticatable license information, and to drive the robot to automatically dispense the dose only upon authentication.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use with a container, the apparatus including:

a mother vial having a volume of at least 10 ml, which contains at least 5 ml of a non-diluted labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and at least 5 ml of saline solution; and

an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing system, configured to contain the mother vial, and to dispense at least one dose from the mother vial to the container.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method including:

placing at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in a container;

associating a portable computer-communicatable data carrier with the container; and

writing, to the data carrier, imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method including:

physically coupling a computer-communicatable data carrier to a portable joining element;

placing one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents in one or more respective containers;

coupling (e.g., removably coupling) the containers to the joining element; and

writing, to the data carrier, imaging protocol information for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and administration protocol information for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

There is yet additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method including:

placing at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in a container;

associating a computer-communicatable data carrier with the container; and

writing, to the data carrier, authenticatable information regarding a commercial license for use of SPECT imaging protocol information with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method including:

providing a portable computer-communicatable data carrier; and

writing, to the data carrier, authenticatable information regarding a commercial license for use of SPECT imaging protocol information.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method including:

writing first and second identifier values to first and second computer-communicatable data carriers, respectively;

detecting a correspondence between the first and second identifier values; and

perform an imaging procedure on a patient responsively to the detecting.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient, the method including:

placing at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in a container;

physically coupling a first computer-communicatable data carrier to the container;

writing, to the first data carrier, radiopharmaceutical information regarding the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent; and

writing, to a second portable computer-communicatable data carrier, patient information regarding the patient, and imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method including:

placing, in a container, at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient;

associating a computer-communicatable data carrier with the container;

writing data to the data carrier regarding at least one of: the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and the patient;

reading the data from the data carrier at a SPECT imaging system;

utilizing the read data to customize at least one function of the system selected from the group consisting of: administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, acquisition of a SPECT image of the patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is administered, reconstruction of the SPECT image, analysis of the SPECT image, and diagnosis of a condition of the patient based at least in part on the analysis.

There is yet additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for use with a container containing at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient, and data regarding at least one of: the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and the patient, the method including:

reading the data at a SPECT imaging system; and

utilizing the read data to customize at least one function of the system selected from the group consisting of: administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, acquisition of a SPECT image of the patient to whom the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is administered, reconstruction of the SPECT image, analysis of the SPECT image, and diagnosis of a condition of the patient based at least in part on the analysis.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for use with a container and a computer-communicatable container data carrier associated with the container, the method including:

receiving, by an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing system, radiopharmaceutical information regarding at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the radiopharmaceutical information selected from the group consisting of: imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and authenticatable information regarding a commercial license for use of an imaging protocol with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent;

receiving, by the dispensing system, patient information regarding a patient;

automatically robotically dispensing, by the dispensing system, a dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to the container; and

transmitting to the container data carrier, by the dispensing system, at least a portion of the radiopharmaceutical information and at least a portion of the patient information.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatically dispensing a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to a container, including:

providing a mother vial having a volume of at least 10 ml;

filling the mother vial with at least 5 ml of a non-diluted labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and with at least 5 ml of saline solution;

placing the mother vial in an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing system; and

dispensing at least one dose from the mother vial to the container.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for setting a dose of a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for use for performing an imaging procedure on a patient for studying a physiological characteristic of the patient, the method including:

selecting the radiopharmaceutical agent;

receiving information regarding a medical parameter of the patient not directly related to the physiological characteristic of the patient; and

setting the dose at least in part responsively to the received information.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a substance associated with a time-dependent substance intake program generated by a computer controlled functionality employing a machine readable multi-parameter human physiological profile including at least one of a kinetic and intra-body location dependent parameter and a machine readable multi-parameter substance profile, including at least one kinetic parameter.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer controlled functionality employing a machine readable multi-parameter human physiological profile including at least one of a kinetic and intra-body location dependent parameter and a machine readable multi-parameter substance profile, including at least one kinetic parameter, for indicating a time-dependent substance intake program.

There is yet further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a substance associated with a time-dependent substance intake program generated by a computer controlled functionality employing a machine readable multi-parameter human physiological profile including at least one of a kinetic and intra-body location dependent parameter and a machine readable multi-parameter substance profile, including at least one kinetic parameter.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a time-dependent substance intake program generated by a computer controlled functionality employing a machine readable multi-parameter human physiological profile including at least one of a kinetic and intra-body location dependent parameter and a machine readable multi-parameter substance profile, including at least one kinetic parameter.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a substance formulated in accordance with a time-dependent substance intake program generated by a computer controlled functionality employing a machine readable multi-parameter human physiological profile including at least one of a kinetic and intra-body location dependent parameter and a machine readable multi-parameter substance profile, including at least one kinetic parameter.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, method, and/or functionality for generation of a machine readable multi-parameter human physiological profile including at least one of a kinetic and intra-body location dependent parameter, including providing a time-dependent substance intake program; a data acquisition system which acquires data from the patient passing through the intake program; and a computerized analysis using a machine readable multi-parameter substance profile, including at least one kinetic parameter.

There is yet further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, method, and/or functionality for generation of a human physiological profile, including providing a substance intake program; a data acquisition system which acquires data from the patient passing through the intake program; and a computerized analysis using a substance profile, including at least one kinetic parameter.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an interactive pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable information-bearing, customized medicine module suitable for use in computerized customized medicine, said customized medicine module including a computerized customized medicine machine-interfaceable pharmaceutical-containing delivery module and a computerized individualized medicine machine-readable information-containing carrier containing at least data regarding said pharmaceutical which is required for use of said pharmaceutical in computerized customized medicine, said data being useful in computerized customized medicine machine actuation of said pharmaceutical-containing delivery module.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computerized customized medicine machine including:

a computerized patient imager;

a computerized pharmaceutical deliverer employing a pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable information-bearing, customized medicine module; and

a customized medicine protocol controller including:

• • an interactive patient imager interface including patient information receiving functionality and patient imaging actuation functionality; and
  • an interactive pharmaceutical deliverer interface including patient information receiving functionality and patient information-responsive pharmaceutical delivery actuation functionality.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an interactive pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable authenticated, authenticated customized medicine module suitable for use in computerized customized medicine, said customized medicine module including a computerized customized medicine machine-interfaceable pharmaceutical-containing module and a computerized individualized medicine machine-readable authentication-containing carrier containing at least authentication data regarding said pharmaceutical which is required for use of said pharmaceutical in computerized customized medicine, said data being useful in said computerized customized medicine machine.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computerized customized medicine preparation machine including:

a computerized patient information manager;

a computerized customized medicine pharmaceutical information manager;

a computerized authenticated customized medicine module authenticator; and

a computerized pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable information-bearing, customized medicine module generator including:

• • a computerized generator protocol manager operative to receive patient information from said patient information manager, to receive authentication of an authenticated customized medicine module from said authenticator, to receive customized medicine pharmaceutical information relating to at least one pharmaceutical contained in said authenticated customized medicine module from said pharmaceutical information manager and to prepare customized medicine information to be included in said customized medicine module; and
  • a computerized pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable information-bearing, customized medicine module preparer operative to associate said customized medicine information prepared by said protocol manager in an authenticatable machine readable form with a quantity of said pharmaceutical contained in said authenticated customized medicine module, thereby providing a pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable information-bearing, customized medicine module.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an interactive pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable information-bearing, individualized medicine module suitable for use in computerized individualized medicine, said individualized medicine module including a computerized individualized medicine machine actuable pharmaceutical-containing delivery module and a computerized individualized medicine machine-readable information-containing carrier containing at least data regarding said pharmaceutical which is required for use of said pharmaceutical in computerized individualized medicine, said data being useful in computerized individualized medicine machine actuation of said pharmaceutical-containing delivery module.

For some applications, said data is in an encrypted format, readable by said computerized individualized medicine machine upon receipt of a predetermined authentication.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computerized individualized medicine machine including:

a computerized patient imager;

a computerized pharmaceutical deliverer employing a pharmaceutical-containing, machine-readable information-bearing, individualized medicine module; and

an individualized medicine protocol controller including:

• • an interactive patient imager interface including patient image receiving functionality and patient imaging actuation functionality; and
  • an interactive pharmaceutical deliverer interface including patient image receiving functionality and patient image-responsive pharmaceutical delivery actuation functionality.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, use of a high definition, high sensitivity camera for determination of an optimal parameter for a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the optimal parameter selected from the group consisting of: optimal dose, optimal mode of administration, optimal mode of acquisition of data with respect to the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, optimal mode of data processing with respect to the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and optimal mode of presentation of information acquired with respect to the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent that is manufactured or designed or indicated for use with or sold with any one of the above techniques.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an end-to-end automated system for medical imaging, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an end-to-end method for medical imaging, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a patient-specific data carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a patient management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a radiopharmaceutical dose calculation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-E are tables showing exemplary preconfigured SPECT protocols and parameters thereof, in accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a mother vial and attached data carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a data carrier coupled to a radiopharmaceutical agent container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-H are schematic illustrations of respective embodiments of a radiopharmaceutical agent container and data carrier coupled thereto, in accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an administration system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an automated radiopharmaceutical dispensing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A-C are schematic illustrations of a system for carrying out a data transfer process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a radioisotope automatic elution system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a mother vial preparation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A-B are illustrations of color spectra and a color-coded signature, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a computer-readable medium, a portion of which is shaped so as to define a physical key, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a graph showing particle energy vs. photon count at a detector of a camera, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of the administration system ofFIG. 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of an injector of the administration system ofFIG. 19, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a joining element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic side-view illustration of the coupling of the joining element ofFIG. 21 with the injector ofFIG. 20, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of an interior of an injector enclosure of the injector ofFIG. 20 containing four containers, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a portion of components of the end-to-end automated system ofFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating a method for using the administration system ofFIG. 19 with the joining element ofFIG. 21, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an end-to-end automatedsystem10 for medical imaging, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.System10 comprises a plurality of integrated elements that are configured to electronically exchange information among one another. The elements include an automatedradiopharmaceutical dispensing system20, a portable radiopharmaceutical agent container22 (which, for some applications, is information-bearing), a portable patient-specific data carrier24, anautomated administration system26, anautomated imaging system28, and/or an information-bearing joining element described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 19-25. The systems perform their respective automated functions at least in part responsively to the exchanged information. The elements typically authenticate one another via the exchanged information, in order to ensure that only authorized elements participate in the system, and that only authorized and appropriate functions are performed. Each of the elements is described in detail hereinbelow.

End-to-End Imaging Method

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an end-to-end method for medical imaging, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At aradiopharmaceutical provisioning step100, a manufacturer102 (FIG. 1) or distributor provides a mother vial104 (FIG. 1) containing an unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and information associated with the radiopharmaceutical agent. Such an unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent typically comprises a pharmaceutical substance, for example an antibody such as Capromab Pendetide marketed by Cytogen Corp. under the name ProstaScint and used in the detection of prostate cancer metastases, or sestamibi used in cardiac perfusion studies and marketed under the name of Cardiolite by Bristol Meyers Squibb Corporation, an ion, or another biological metabolized substance, or a substance which is not metabolized but nevertheless undergoes an interaction with the body. The information is stored in a mothervial data carrier106 associated withmother vial104, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 7. For some applications,data carrier106 is physically coupled tomother vial104, while for other applications the data carrier is provided as a separate element associated with the mother vial. As described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 7, the information stored indata carrier106 typically includes information regarding the radiopharmaceutical agent, such as the formulation, pharmacologic kinetic parameters, radioactivity information, and/or protocol information.

At alabeling step110, the unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent is labeled with an appropriate radioisotope, to produce a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Such labeling is typically performed using conventional methods, including mixing the agent with a solution containing the radioisotope, heating the mixture, and performing quality testing on the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. For some applications,step110 is performed using conventional radiopharmacy labeling techniques, while forother applications system10 comprises a mothervial preparation system700, which automatically performs all or a portion of the labeling, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 15. The radioisotopes are provided by aradioisotope supplier111, such as a conventional radiopharmacy or anautomatic elution system600, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 14.Data carrier106 is typically updated with radioactivity-related information, including the time of labeling, the radioactivity of the radioisotope at the time of labeling, and the volume of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 7.

For some applications, the only active constituent of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is the radioisotope; in other words, the radioisotope is not bound to a biologically active substance. For example, the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent may consist essentially of thallium (as well as pH-balancing constituents, salt ions, and preservatives). As used in the present application, including in the claims, a “labeled radiopharmaceutical agent” means either: (a) an agent comprising a diagnostic radioisotope, such as thallium, or (b) an agent comprising a radioisotope bound to a biologically active substance, such as an antibody, a pharmaceutical compound, an ion, or another biological metabolized substance, or a substance which is not metabolized but nevertheless undergoes an interaction with the body.

At a patient registration and imagingprotocol assignment step112, ahealthcare worker206 uses apatient management system160 to register a patient intosystem10, and to assign appropriate administration and imaging protocols for the patient, as described in detail hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 4. At aninformation transfer step114,patient management system160 assigns a portable patient-specific data carrier24 to the patient, and transmits information todata carrier24, including at least a patient identifier (typically, the patient's identification code and/or name), and the assigned administration and imaging protocols. Additional patient data parameters recorded may include physiological data such as girth, height and weight. The patient management system additionally transmits an order for one or more patient-specific doses of the appropriate labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) to dispensingsystem20 or a conventional radiopharmacy.

At adose dispensing step116, dispensingsystem20 dispenses the ordered customized dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent frommother vial104, as described in detail hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 12. Prior to dispensing the dose, dispensingsystem20 typically authenticates the mother vial using information stored in mothervial data carrier106. For some applications, dispensingsystem20 verifies the authenticity of a commercial license contained indata carrier106. Typically, all or a portion of the information used for such verification is encrypted, and dispensingsystem20 decrypts the information during the verification procedure. Alternatively or additionally, dispensingsystem20 accesses, over a network, information stored at a remote site, and utilizes the information for such verification. The dispensing system dispenses the dose based on patient-specific prescription information, radiopharmaceutical agent-related information stored indata carrier106, and/or patient-specific information provided by an element ofsystem10. Such patient-specific information may include, for example, age, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), body dimensions, metabolic rate, hemodynamic state, kinetic parameters of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent as determined during previous imaging procedures performed on the patient, and/or information regarding medical devices implanted in the patient (e.g., pacemakers or ICDs). For some applications, dosage information is provided directly or indirectly bypatient management system160 and/or a radiopharmaceuticaldose calculation system152, which are described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.

At aninformation transfer step118, dispensingsystem20 transfers patient-specific information and radiopharmaceutical-related information to adata carrier120 physically coupled tocontainer22, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 9A-H and10. “Physically coupled,” as used in the present application, including the claims, includes both direct and indirect physical coupling. For example,data carrier120 may be indirectly physically coupled tocontainer22 via shielding ofcontainer22, or shielding of a cylinder in whichcontainer22 is stored during transport and handling thereof. The patient-specific information includes the patient's identification code and/or name, and the assigned administration and imaging protocols. The radiopharmaceutical-related information typically includes: (a) all or a portion of the information provided by the manufacturer indata carrier106, such as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 7, e.g., intended use, formulation, pharmacologic kinetic parameters, and protocol information; (b) information regarding the radioactivity and volume of the dose; and (c) time of dispensing, as described in detail hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 8. In addition, the dispensing system typically prints and attaches a conventional information label tocontainer22, such as in order to comply with regulatory labeling requirements. For applications in which the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) is dispensed using conventional radiopharmacy techniques, dispensingsystem20, or another element ofsystem10, such asdose calculation system152, typically transfers the radiopharmaceutical-related information todata carrier120. Alternatively, all or a portion of the information is transferred directly from mothervial data carrier106 tocontainer data carrier120.

At anadministration step122,administration system26 receivesradiopharmaceutical agent container22, and administers the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained therein to the appropriate patient. As described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS.10 and19-24, for some applications,administration system26 comprises an automated administration device, which is configured to administer the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, while for other applications, a healthcare worker manually administers the agent upon receiving a signal to do so fromsystem26. Prior to administration,system26 authenticatescontainer22 and verifies the identity of the patient, using information provided by patient-specific data carrier24 andcontainer data carrier120, and, optionally, another element ofsystem10, such as aphysician station115. Typically, all or a portion of the information used for such verification is encrypted, andadministration system26 decrypts the information during the verification procedure. Alternatively or additionally,administration system26 accesses, over a network, information stored at a remote site, and utilizes the information for such verification.Administration system26 verifies that the patient identification codes contained in patient-specific data carrier24 andcontainer data carrier120 match one another, and, typically, verifies that the administration and/or imaging protocols contained in the data carriers match one another. Typically, at least a portion of the information stored indata carrier120 ofcontainer22 is transferred todata carrier24, either directly, viaadministration system26, or via a communication element. For some applications,system26 generates a signal for a healthcare worker confirming that a proper match has been made betweenagent container22 and the patient. The system also typically verifies that the current time is the proper administration time, as per the administration protocol, and thatcontainer22 contains the proper dose, as per the selected protocol. Optionally,system26 is configured to administer the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent only if such matches are confirmed by the system. For some applications,administration system26 verifies the authenticity of a commercial license contained indata carrier120, and performs the administration only upon verification of the authenticity.

For some applications,administration system26 customizes the administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent using information provided bydata carrier24,data carrier120,physician station115, and/orpatient management system160. For example,system26 may customize a time-dependent administration profile of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, such as a rate of administration. Alternatively or additionally,system26 may administer less than the entire dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, e.g., based on feedback fromimaging system28 during an imaging procedure.

For some applications, such as dynamic studies,administration system26 administers the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent during an imaging procedure performed byimaging system28. For these applications, the administration system is in communication with the imaging system during the administration, in order to assure information regarding time-dependent administration is accurately communicated between the administration system and the imaging system. For some applications,imaging system28 reads information from patient-specific data carrier24, and transmits at least a portion of the information toadministration system26, thereby obviating the need for the administration system to directly read such information from the data carrier. For some applications,imaging system28 triggers the commencement of administration. (It is to be understood that although the imaging system triggers administration of the agent, for some applications the agent is not administered until a healthcare worker provides a final authorization to do so, such as to comply with regulatory safety requirements.) For some applications, the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) is administered in a closed loop with an imaging procedure performed byimaging system28;administration system26 modifies one or more parameters of the administration in real time based on feedback received fromimaging system28, and/or based on real-time measurements of physiological parameters of the patient (e.g., systemic blood concentrations) during the imaging procedure. For some protocols, the administration system administers a preliminary bolus injection, and, based on feedback fromimaging system28 and/or on physiological parameters of the patient, configures one or more parameters of a subsequent administration of the same or a different labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

At aninformation transfer step123, before, during and/or after administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent,administration system26 electronically updates patient-specific data carrier24 and/or another information-storing element ofsystem10 with details of the administration, such as:

• • an identification code ofcontainer22, an administration device, and/or of joiningelement420, described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 19-25;
  • an identification code of the patient to which the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent was dispensed, which should match the patient code already stored indata carrier24;
  • the administered labeled radiopharmaceutical agent;
  • the volume of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent administered;
  • the time of administration;
  • the time profile of administration;
  • the radioactivity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent at the time of administration;
  • the radioactivity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent when dispensed tocontainer22;
  • the time of measurement of the radioactivity when dispensed tocontainer22; and/or
  • at least a portion of the radiopharmaceutical information provided bydata carrier106 ofmother vial104.

For some applications, at least a portion of such administration details is written to new media provided for this purpose, such as a stamp or sticker for placement on patient-specific data carrier24,container22, and/or joiningelement420, described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 19-25, or another portable data carrier. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of such administration details is communicated to another element ofsystem10, such as via a network, e.g., toimaging system28.

For some applications,data carrier120 ofcontainer22 communicates administration information to patient-specific data carrier24, either directly or viaadministration system26. For some applications,system26 provides similar updates to other elements ofsystem10, such aspatient management system160,management control component150,physician station115, and/orimaging system28. Alternatively or additionally, a healthcare worker manually updates one or more of the data carrier and/or system elements. Typically, for safety purposes, afteradministration system26 has read all necessary information fromdata carrier120,administration system26 permanently disablesdata carrier120 ofcontainer22, in order to ensure that the data carrier is not accidentally reused for another patient.

Reference is still made toFIG. 2. After or during administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent,imaging system28 performs an imaging procedure on the patient, at animaging step124.Imaging system28 is described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11. Prior to performing the imaging procedure,system28 verifies one or more of the following:

• • the identity of the patient, using information provided by patient-specific data carrier24;
  • the authenticity of patient-specific data carrier24, typically using information provided by the data carrier itself, acoded signature256, as described hereinbelow in the section entitled “Signature,” and/or a key852, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 17;
  • that patient-specific data carrier24 has been brought within a certain distance ofimaging system28, e.g., within about 30 cm;
  • the identity of the manufacturer or distributor of the radiopharmaceutical agent, using information stored indata carrier120;
  • that a selected camera ofimaging system28, imaging protocol, and patient identification code, as provided toimaging system28 by one or more elements ofsystem10, match those stored in patient-specific data carrier24;
  • the authenticity of a commercial license contained in patient-specific data carrier24. For some applications,system28 verifies that the license has not been previously used, for example by verifying that a registration code associated with the license has not been previously received bysystem28 and/orsystem10; and/or
  • thatadministration system26 used (or is about to use, for procedures in which administration occurs during imaging) thecorrect container22 and associateddata carrier120 for the prescribed imaging procedure, and administered (or is about to administer) the appropriate dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) at time(s) appropriate for performance of the imaging procedure.

Typically, all or a portion of the information used for such verification is encrypted, andimaging system28 decrypts the information during the verification procedure. Alternatively or additionally,imaging system28 accesses, over a network, information stored at a remote site, and utilizes the information for such verification.

For some applications,system28 generates a signal for a healthcare worker confirming that a proper match has been made between the patient and one or more of the components described above. Optionally,system28 is configured to perform the imaging procedure only if such a match is confirmed by the system.

Typically,system28 customizes the imaging procedure using information provided byadministration system26,data carrier24, and/orphysician station115. Such information typically includes information regarding the time of labeled radiopharmaceutical administration, the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent (e.g., radioactive strength, time of preparation, and/or kinetic parameters), patient-specific physiological information, and/or imaging protocol information. Parameters of the imaging procedure that are typically customized include, but are not limited to: total acquisition time; detector motions, such as detector angular and translational motions, detector step size (i.e., the density of the step size, typically expressed in degrees), and detector dwell time at each view; type of study, such as standard, active vision (as described in the above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173), or gated; definition of the region of interest (ROI), for example, based on the size of the heart; and/or attenuation correction parameters, which are typically based on physiological parameters such as body mass, BMI, and girth. For some applications, when performing gated studies, the imaging system takes into account the possible effect of medical devices implanted in the patient, such as pacemakers, e.g., coordinates the gating with the timing of the pacemaker.

In an embodiment of the present invention,method440, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 25, is performed instead ofsteps118 through124.

At animage reconstruction step126,imaging system28 uses the acquired imaging data for image reconstruction. For some applications,system28 customizes the image reconstruction procedure using information provided byadministration system26,data carrier24, and/orphysician station115, such as imaging protocol information.

Imaging system28 analyzes the reconstructed image, at ananalysis step128. For some applications,system28 customizes the analysis procedure using information provided byadministration system26,data carrier24, and/orphysician station115, such as imaging protocol information.

The imaging system, or a separate diagnostic system ofsystem10, assists with developing a diagnosis based on the analysis, at adiagnosis step130. Typically,system28 customizes the diagnostic procedure using information provided byadministration system26,data carrier24, and/orphysician station115, such as imaging protocol information. For some applications, authentication is performed to verify that the imaging was performed as intended. Reconstruction and analysis are preferably based on lookup tables and expert system rules, for example, as provided by the radiopharmaceutical manufacturer, and may be patient customized, taking into account known patient physiology and/or suspected disease. Alternatively or additionally, the lookup tables and/or expert system diagnostic rules are configured to provide such customization. For some applications, customization and/or diagnostic techniques are performed that are described in the above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173.

The diagnosis and/or the results of the imaging procedure are typically transmitted tophysician station115, for use by an attendinghealthcare worker206. Alternatively or additionally, the diagnosis and/or the results of the imaging procedure are transmitted to a database132 (FIG. 1). The accumulated results of a number of such imaging procedures for a large population are analyzed in order to develop, optimize, update, or otherwise re-evaluate imaging protocols, and update appropriate lookup tables and/or expert system rules for the use of the radiopharmaceutical agent. For example, the database may contain quantitative data regarding absolute blood flow measurements from healthy patients and patients with varying level of diseases. For some applications, such data is used to obtain disease-specific tissue signatures by performing quantitative analysis of normal and diseased tissue. Alternatively or additionally, the information indatabase132 is used for: (a) comparing the results of an imaging procedure (images, and/or quantitative information and/or analyses) with historical results of the patient, in order to classify disease state and/or (b) comparing the results of an imaging procedure with similar results from a patient population, in order to classify disease state.

Typically,physician station115 comprises one or more standard personal computers or servers with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the physician station in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM.

During or aftersteps124 through128,imaging system28 updates the data stored in patient-specific data carrier24 and/or other elements ofsystem10, such aspatient information system160, and/orphysician station115, to reflect details of the imaging procedure performed. In addition, for some applications,imaging system28 transfers data to the specific camera used for the procedure, such as patient details, radiopharmaceutical information, and/or administration information, which information is received fromdata carrier24, or from other elements ofsystem10.

The Patient-Specific Data Carrier

Reference is made toFIG. 3, which is a schematic illustration of patient-specific data carrier24, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Data carrier24 is configured to be held or worn by the patient, and, for some applications, comprises a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient, which coupling mechanism, comprises, for example, a bracelet, watch, or necklace (FIG. 3A shows the data carrier integrated into a watch or bracelet170).Data carrier24 is computer-communicatable, and typically comprises an RFID tag, smart card, memory card (such as a disk-on-key (e.g., a USB key)), compact disc, minidisk, disposable computer-readable medium, or other electronic memory, as described below.Data carrier24 is configured to hold information regarding the patient and a selected imaging procedure, as described immediately hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 4.

One ormore communication elements240 are provided for reading data from and transmitting data todata carrier24, using a proprietary or standard wireless protocol, e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, W-LAN, or IEEE 802.11. Alternatively, the communication element is brought into physical contact withdata carrier24, and reads and/or writes the information using an electrical contact, or other coupling technique, such as inductive coupling.Respective communication elements240 are typically in data communication withpatient management system160,physician station115, dispensingsystem20,administration system26, and/orimaging system28. For some applications,communication elements240 comprise one or more coils for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation. Typically, the communication elements are configured to have a short effective transmission range, e.g., no more than between about 20 and 40 cm, such as about 30 cm. Such a short range reduces the likelihood of accidental communication with a data carrier other than the intended data carrier.

For some applications, a portion of the patient information stored in the data carrier is also printed in human- and/or machine-readable form on the data carrier. For example, aname172 andidentification code174 of the patient, and/or a computer-readable scannable label, such as abarcode176, two-dimensional bar code, or color-coded code, may be printed on the data carrier.

Data carrier24 comprisescircuitry178, which comprises memory and logic. For some applications,data carrier24 is passive, in which case it is configured to receive energy fromcommunication element240. For other applications,data carrier24 comprises a power source (not shown). For some applications in which the data carrier comprises a power source, the data carrier comprises a communication element for communicating and/or energizing another electronic apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, the data carrier comprises a communication element configured for wireless communication.

For some applications,data carrier24 further comprises auser output180 for outputting information to the patient or healthcare workers. For example,output180 may comprise a display screen, light, and/or sound generator, whichcircuitry178 drives to communicate information, such as when communications have been established with other elements ofsystem10, e.g.,data carrier120,administration system26,imaging system28, and/orpatient management system160. For some applications,circuitry178 is configured to additionally function as an alarm clock; for example, the circuitry may drivedisplay180 to alert the patient prior to a scheduled administration or imaging procedure.

Typically, for safety purposes, upon completion of all the imaging procedures associated with a given patient-specific data carrier24,system10 permanently disables the data carrier, in order to ensure that the data carrier is not accidentally reused for another patient.

The Patient Management System

Reference is made toFIG. 4, which is a schematic illustration ofpatient management system160, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Patient management system160 manages patient-related administrative and medical information, and typically comprises at least oneworkstation200 in communication with one ormore servers202. Typically,workstation200 andservers202 comprise standard personal computers and/or computer servers with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the workstation and servers in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM.

System160 performs the following functions:

• • receives and registers new patients intosystem10, typically into management andcontrol component150 thereof;
  • assigns patient identification codes;
  • assigns, issues, and transfers information to patient-specific data carriers24;
  • receives and tracks patient prescriptions for radiopharmaceuticals, and communicates the prescriptions to other elements ofsystem10, such as dispensingsystem20,administration system26, and/or management andcontrol component150; and/or
  • suggests and assigns imaging protocols based on the patient's imaging needs and patient-specific information.

During reception of anew patient204,healthcare worker206 manually enters patient information intoworkstation200. Alternatively or additionally, all or a portion of the patient information is provided electronically by another healthcare system or electronic information source.System160 typically verifies the healthcare worker's identity and access privileges by interrogating a computer-communicatable identity tag208 held by the worker, and/or by checking the validity of a password entered intoworkstation200 by the healthcare worker.

The patient information provided tosystem160 typically includes:

• • the patient's general details, such as name, age, gender, address, telephone number, profession, attending and/or treating physician, health insurance plan, and next of kin;
  • the patient's medical profile, such as medical condition, medical history, family medical history, BMI, weight, allergies, sensitivity to one or more chemical compounds, metabolic rate, and other physiological conditions;
  • medications prescribed to the patient;
  • information regarding medical devices implanted in the patient (e.g., pacemakers or ICDs)
  • the patient's imaging history; and/or
  • information regarding the desired imaging, including reason for imaging, type of imaging, body structure or organ to be imaged, and known or suspected pathology.

In an embodiment of the present invention, upon entry of such patient information intopatient management system160, the system automatically suggests one or more imaging protocols that may be appropriate for the patient's imaging needs and medical condition. When making such suggestion, the system takes into consideration, in addition to the information regarding the desired imaging, such factors as the patient's general details, medical profile, imaging history, and guidelines for medication interactions. The system typically selects the suggested protocol(s) from a database of preconfigured protocols, which is described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 6A-E.Healthcare worker206 selects one of the suggested protocols, or selects another non-suggested protocol directly from the protocol database.

For some applications, the system suggests one or more customizations of the selected protocol, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 6A-E, which the healthcare worker may accept, decline, or modify, in whole or in part. These suggested customizations are typically based on (a) physiological parameters of the patient, such as age, weight, BMI, metabolic rate, and/or hemodynamic state, and/or kinetic parameters of the radiopharmaceutical agent as determined during previous imaging procedures performed on the patient, (b) a medical profile group to which the patient is assigned, such as high, normal, or low BMI, or high BMI—diabetic, or high BMI—normal metabolic rate, and/or (c) information regarding medical devices implanted in the patient (e.g., pacemakers or ICDs). (For some applications, such profile groups are stored in a database of management andcontrol component150.) Alternatively or additionally, the healthcare worker may customize the protocol manually.

Upon selection and customization of the protocol,patient management system160 schedules, typically automatically:

• • aspecific imaging system28 capable of performing the selected imaging procedure;
  • a date and time for performing the imaging procedure; and
  • a date(s) and time(s) for administration of labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s).

Patient management system160 transmits the entered and generated patient-specific information, including the selected protocol, to the patient's patient-specific data carrier24. The transmitted patient-specific information typically includes:

• • the patient's identification code and name;
  • an identifier of the selected imaging protocol(s), such as a name and/or an identification code thereof, and/or additional imaging protocol information, such as described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 6A-E. For some applications, the protocol(s) are represented by a protocol identifier, while for other applications the protocol information includes steps and/or other details of the protocol(s). For some applications, the imaging protocol includes protocol information regarding image reconstruction, image analysis, and/or diagnosis, which is used atimage reconstruction step126,analysis step128, and/ordiagnosis step130, respectively, of the method ofFIG. 2, described hereinabove. For some applications, the protocol information includes software code for execution byimaging system28 during image acquisition, image reconstruction, image analysis, and/or diagnosis;
  • an identifier of the selected administration protocol(s), such as a name and/or an identification code thereof;
  • the scheduledimaging system28;
  • the scheduled imaging date and time;
  • the scheduled administration date(s) and time(s);
  • the patient's personal details;
  • the patient's medical profile; and/or
  • the patient's imaging history.

The patient management system transmits an order for one or more patient-specific doses of the appropriate labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) to dispensingsystem20, such as via management andcontrol component150. Typically, the patient management system additionally transmits at least a portion of the entered and generated patient-specific information to one or more of: (a) management andcontrol component150, (b)dose calculation system152, (c)administration system26, and/or (d)imaging system28. Typically, a different subset of the information is transmitted to each of these entities.

As described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 3, for some applications, a portion of the patient information stored indata carrier24 is also printed in human- and/or machine-readable form on the data carrier. For example, aname172 andidentification code174 of the patient, and/or abarcode176 may be printed on the data carrier. For such applications,system160 comprises aprinter210, which is configured to print the information directly ondata carrier24, or to print the information on an adhesive label, whichhealthcare worker206 attaches todata carrier24. For some applications,printer210 comprisescommunication element240, and the printer is configured to both print the information on the data carrier and transmit the information to the data carrier, typically generally at the same time.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 comprises at least one web server, which is configured to accept orders for an imaging procedure over an intranet or the Internet, placed by a physician or other healthcare worker. Such orders can typically be modified up until a deadline, such as midnight before the day of the scheduled imaging procedure.

The Management and Control Component

Reference is again made toFIG. 1. In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 comprises management andcontrol component150, which coordinates a portion of the interaction and communication among the elements ofsystem10. The remainder of the interaction and communication occurs directly between the elements of the system, and/or via other elements of the system. For some applications,component150 issues a password and/or computer-communicatable identity tags208 tohealthcare workers206 authorized to interact with one or more elements ofsystem10. For example, tag208 may comprise an RFID tag, smart card, memory card (such as a disk-on-key (e.g., a USB key)), compact disc, minidisk, disposable computer-readable medium, or other electronic memory, or a machine-readable code, e.g., a computer-readable scannable label, such as a barcode, two-dimensional bar code, or color-coded code. As appropriate,healthcare workers206 may be assigned various permission levels, such as permission to view or modify particular system and/or patient data.

Typically, management andcontrol component150 comprises one or more standard personal computers or servers with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the management and control component in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM.

The Dose Calculation System

Reference is made toFIG. 5, which is a schematic illustration of radiopharmaceuticaldose calculation system152, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dose calculation system manages and tracks, typically automatically, radiopharmaceutical inventory, ordering, dose dispensing, and disposal. Typically, the dose calculation system comprises one or more standard personal computers or servers with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the dose calculation system in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM. The dose calculation system receives information from dispensingsystem20 regarding doses drawn from the inventory.

Dose calculation system152 typically comprises:

• • anordering sub-system154, which orders radiopharmaceutical products from radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and/or radiopharmacies, typically automatically, such as when the dose calculation system identifies that inventories of a given radiopharmaceutical are lower than needed;
  • a receipt andverification sub-system155, which manages the receipt and registration of radiopharmaceutical products. The receipt and verification sub-system checks the received products against orders placed by the ordering sub-system, and typically performs license management. When a receivedmother vial104 includes a mothervial data carrier106, the sub-system reads information contained in the data carrier to verify that the order has been accurately fulfilled, and, typically, verifies the authenticity of the mother vial;
  • adose calculation sub-system156, which calculates customized doses of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents for patients based on patient-specific information, protocol information, and/or prescription information, and communicates the customized doses topatient management system160 and/or dispensingsystem20; and/or
  • a waste-disposal sub-system157, which tracks radioactive waste disposal bysystem10, such as disposal of radioactive materials contained inwaste container512, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 12. For some applications,sub-system157 additionally tracks radioactive waste disposal of materials in the clinical environment not associated withsystem10.

Ordering sub-system154 and waste-disposal sub-system157 typically operate in accordance with per country requirements for radiopharmaceutical use. A reporting sub-system reports to relevant nuclear regulatory commissions as required, based on information obtained from the other sub-systems.

In an embodiment of the present invention,dose calculation sub-system156 designs a cocktail of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents or a series of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents to carry out the desired imaging. When designing such a cocktail or series, the sub-system considers constraints imposed by the physical properties of the agents and by the patient history, and other requirements, such as safety and efficacy requirements. The sub-system determines an appropriate dose for the specific patient having particular physiological parameters (e.g., weight, BMI, and age), and determines the times at which multiple agents are to be administered to the patient in order to achieve optimal imaging.

For some applications,sub-system156 determines that a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents are to be administered together and thus must be combined in a single preparation, i.e., a cocktail. For other applications, the sub-system determines that a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents are to be administered separately at different times and thus must be contained inseparate containers22. As appropriate,sub-system156 takes into consideration differing half-lives of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, in conjunction with the prescribed time of the imaging procedure. For example, a simultaneous imaging protocol is provided for assessing cardiac perfusion using a cocktail comprising Tc-99m sestamibi injected at rest, and thallium-201 injected at stress, wherein the desired activities at imaging time of the Tc-99m sestamibi and the thallium are 6 mCi and 4 mCi, respectively. When calculating the necessary activity of the dispensed dose,sub-system156 accounts for the respective half-lives of Tc-99m (6 hours) and thallium-201 (64 hours) in view of the planned time interval between the dispensing time and administration time. For example, if dispensing is performed 24 hours before administration,sub-system156 calculates the activities of the Tc-99m and thallium-201 at the time of dispensing to be 96 mCi and 5.5 mCi, respectively.

Protocol Information

Reference is made toFIG. 6A andFIGS. 6B-E, which are tables showing exemplary preconfigured SPECT protocols and parameters thereof, in accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention. These protocols are appropriate, for example, for use with the SPECT imaging methods and apparatus described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11, and/or in the co-assigned patent applications and/or patent application publications incorporated herein by reference hereinabove. For some applications, the techniques described herein utilize additional protocols described in above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173, International Application PCT/IL2005/001215, filed Nov. 16, 2005, above-mentioned U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/628,105, above-mentioned U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/675,892, or in one or more of the other co-assigned patent applications and/or patent application publications incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively or additionally, the techniques described herein utilize protocols for non-SPECT imaging modalities, such as PET or CT, or other imaging modalities known in the art. The preconfigured protocols are stored in a database, which is typically used bypatient management system160 for suggesting protocols and/or bydose calculation sub-system156, as described hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.

For each of the exemplary protocols shown inFIG. 6A, the table indicates general parameters for a rest phase and a stress phase of the protocol. For example, for the “single isotope/low dose/fast imaging” protocol, the table shows that the radiopharmaceutical (RP) for the rest phase of the protocol is less than 0.3 mCi of Thallium, that the waiting time after injection of the radiopharmaceutical is 2 minutes, and that the image acquisition duration is 15 minutes. Parameters for the stress phase are similarly indicated, with the addition of the type of stress (exercise, e.g., treadmill or bicycle, or pharmaceutical, e.g., adenosine). The “thallium stress perfusion” and “simultaneous dual isotope stress perfusion” protocols are optionally dynamic.

For each of the exemplary protocols shown inFIGS. 6B-E, the table indicates administration parameters, detector parameters, scanning parameters, and analysis parameters for the protocol. For example, for Protocol A ofFIGS. 6B-C (“Cardiac mapping”), the table indicates:

• • the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent is Tc-99-sestamibi (MIBI);
  • the protocol is a fast protocol, with image acquisition completed prior to substantial uptake of the agent by the liver;
  • the injection is by a single bolus;
  • image acquisition begins either about 2 minutes after injection, or during or immediately administration, for applications in which the administration is performed while the patient is already placed at camera492 (FIG. 11);
  • the detected photon energy is 140 KeV with an energy resolution of 15%, i.e., the total range of energy levels detected by thedetectors494 of camera492 (FIG. 11) is set to be 15% of the emitted energy level of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent (140 Kev). Typically, this range is not centered around the emitted energy level, but instead is shifted towards lower energy levels;
  • the total scan time is 120 seconds;
  • fourdetectors494 ofcamera492 are assigned as outer (distal) detectors, and sixdetectors494 are assigned as inner (proximal) detectors, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11;
  • each of the inner detectors has an angular range of between 90 and 120 degrees, and each of the outer detectors has an angular range of between 40 and 60 degrees;
  • the total number of angular orientations assumed by the detectors in aggregate is 1200, i.e., 10detectors times 120 orientations each;
  • each angular step of the inner detectors is one degree, and each angular step of the outer detectors is 0.3 to 0.5 degrees (corresponding to the range of 40 to 60 degrees described above);
  • the dwell time at each step is one second, for both the inner and outer detectors;
  • the imaging procedure is gated using 16 to 32 frames;
  • the analyses to be performed include intensity image and ejection fraction.

For some applications, the protocol information includes additional information not shown inFIGS. 6B-E, such as:

• • additional scanning parameters, such as whether the detectors perform multiple scans (in all the protocols shown in the table, the detectors typically perform a single scan); and
  • additional analysis parameters, such as:
    • saturation handling (in the first cardiac mapping protocol shown in the table, no saturation handling is performed, while in the second cardiac mapping protocol shown in the table, the analysis is configured to dismiss saturated pixels);
    • whether the analysis handles scatter from multiple sources (in the protocols shown in the table, the analysis does not handle scatter from multiple sources);
    • reconstruction resolution (in all of the protocols shown in the table, the image reconstruction resolution is 2.5 mm in the z-direction, and 5 mm in the x- and y-directions); and
    • parameters that provide the diagnosis system (e.g., expert system) with information regarding how to interpret the results of the imaging study, such as kinetic parameters, predefined pathological values, or patient-specific physiological parameters (e.g., BMI, age, or a group to which the patient is assigned), and/or (particularly for gated studies), information regarding medical devices implanted in the patient (e.g., pacemakers or ICDs).

Reference is made to Protocol E ofFIGS. 6B-C. In this cardiac mapping protocol, simultaneous image acquisition is performed using, typically using full conventional doses of both thallium and MIBI-Tc. The detected photon energy of the thallium is 167 KeV, rather than the 72 KeV that is conventionally detected during nuclear imaging procedures. Unlike conventional SPECT cameras, the camera described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11 is sufficiently sensitive to detect a clinically-relevant count of the relatively low percentage (8%) of photons emitted at the 167 KeV energy level. (Detection of 72 KeV energy is generally not practical when a conventional dose of MIBI-Tc is used, because the scatter from the 140 KeV energy level of MIBI-Tc masks the 72 KeV photons emitted by the thallium.)

Reference is made to Protocol I ofFIGS. 6D-E. In this cardiac dynamic mapping protocol, image acquisition typically begins prior to administration of the radiopharmaceutical agent, such as at one minute prior to administration, as shown in the table. This allows the imaging system to complete one full scan of the region of interest prior to administration of the radiopharmaceutical agent, in order to ensure that the imaging system is able to acquire photons of radiation beginning immediately after the radiopharmaceutical agent is administered.

Typically, a selected preconfigured protocol is customized based on physiological parameters of the specific patient, and/or a medical profile group of the patient, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 4. Such customization typically includes customization of the radiopharmaceutical agent, administration parameters, and/or imaging parameters.

For some applications, one or more of the following parameters of the radiopharmaceutical agent are customized:

• • the dose, or for multiple radiopharmaceutical agents, the respective doses;
  • the radioactivity;
  • for cocktails, the ratio of the different radiopharmaceutical agents; and/or
  • the volume of the dose, or for multiple radiopharmaceutical agents, the volumes of the respective doses.

For some applications, one or more of the following parameters of the administration are customized:

• • the dose administered, or for multiple radiopharmaceutical agents, the respective doses per administration;
  • the type of administration, e.g., a single bolus, a plurality of boluses (e.g., two boluses), pulsatile administration, or constant drip administration;
  • the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for each administration, whether a single agent or a cocktail of agents; the time of the administration with respect to the time of imaging;
  • the timings of multiple administrations with respect to each other and with respect to other activities, such as rest or stress (physical or pharmacological);
  • the administration device, e.g., a syringe, a dual-needle syringe, a pump, or an IV line; and/or
  • the mode of administration, e.g., manual, automatic, or computer driven.

For some applications, one or more of the following parameters of the imaging procedure are customized. For some applications, such parameters are separately specified for individual components ofcamera492 ofimaging system28, or groups of components, such as forindividual detectors494 or groups of detectors ofcamera492, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11.

• • total acquisition time, and/or acquisition time for a plurality of phases of acquisition;
  • detector scanning plan, including detector motions, such as detector angular and translational motions, detector step size (i.e., the density of the step size, typically expressed in degrees), number of detectors utilized for image acquisition, and detector dwell time at each view;
  • detector sensitivity;
  • detection energy resolution;
  • detector calibration plan;
  • definition of the region of interest (ROI);
  • gating parameters;
  • energy bands, i.e., a plurality of non-overlapping energy windows;
  • collimator positioning, shape, structure, and orientation;
  • multiple/interlaced scans;
  • zooming parameters;
  • uniformity/non-uniformity of scan;
  • Compton scatter map calculation and correction parameters;
  • optimal energy window;
  • optimal energy resolution, i.e., the range of energy level windows for which detection is enabled; and/or
  • adaptivity of scan pattern to acquired counts, e.g., active vision parameters (as described in the above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173).

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses high definition protocols in conjunction with SPECT imaging techniques to enable personalized functional imaging at higher speeds and resolutions than can be achieved using conventional radiopharmaceutical protocols and imaging technology, using imaging techniques described herein and/or incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively or additionally, the system uses low dose protocols that enable personalized functional imaging at higher resolutions but with substantially lower doses than possible using conventional methods.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses a protocol pursuant to which a patient undergoes a rest thallium (Tl-201-thallous chloride) and stress Tc-99-sestamibi (MIBI) study having a total study duration of between about 60 and about 90 minutes, and a total image acquisition duration of between about 0.5 and about 6 minutes, e.g., about four minutes. For example, pursuant to the protocol:

• • about 3 mCi of thallium may be administered to the patient as a bolus IV injection,
  • the patient may rest for between about 10 and about 15 minutes,
  • an image acquisition having a duration of about two minutes may be performed,
  • the patient may be physically stressed,
  • about 20-30 mCi of Tc-99-sestamibi may be administered as a bolus IV injection, and
  • a second image acquisition having a duration of about two minutes may be performed.

Such dual-isotope imaging is generally useful for assessing myocardial perfusion of patients with suspected ischemic syndromes and a variety of other conditions. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the rest phase is performed using an approximately 8 to 10 mCi dose of Tc-99-sestamibi, in which case image acquisition typically commences about 30 minutes after injection of the sestamibi. Further alternatively, in an embodiment, image acquisition for the rest phase is performed about two minutes after injection of the thallium, the stress is pharmacological (e.g., using adenosine), and image acquisition for the stress phase is performed essentially immediately after injection of the sestamibi. Still further alternatively, in an embodiment, the rest phase is performed using Tc-99-sestamibi, and image acquisition commences essentially immediately upon injection of a dose of about 8 to 10 mCi.

In accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention, dual-radiopharmaceutical protocols include the administration and simultaneous imaging of the following combinations of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents. Typically, the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents are administered as a mixture (i.e., a cocktail) before or during a simultaneous imaging procedure; alternatively, the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents are administered separately before or during a simultaneous imaging procedure.

• • (a) 1-123 BMIPP, a fatty acid imaging agent that has been available in Japan for many years, and is currently in Phase III clinical trials in the United States, and (b) a myocardial perfusion agent (e.g., Tc-99m sestamibi, Tc-99m tetrofosmin, or Tl-201-thallous chloride), for simultaneously studying myocardial perfusion and fatty acid metabolism;
  • (a) Tl-201-thallous chloride and (b) Tc-99m pertechnetate, for differentiating an organ from its anatomical surroundings, such as differentiating parathyroid glands from the thyroid gland;
  • (a) In-111 DTPA, and (b) Tc-99m-MAG3, for differentiating pathological processes in a given organ, such as performing differential diagnosis of a hypo-perfused kidney, e.g., to study true glomerular filtration rate and tubular secretion simultaneously;
  • a cocktail of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, for studying cancer, including simultaneous diagnosis, prediction of therapy response, and monitoring of therapy, such as simultaneously identifying a tumor, and characterizing tumor perfusion and metabolic activity, e.g., in order to provide a disease signature; and
  • the combinations shown in the following table.

TABLE 1
First		Second
radio-	First	radio-	Second
pharmaceutical	application	pharmaceutical	application
201Tl	Myocardial	Tc-99m-teboroxime	Myocardial
	perfusion	Tc-99m-sestamibi	perfusion
		Tc-99m-tetrophosmin
201Tl	Myocardial	Tc-99m-PYP	Infarct Imaging
	perfusion
201Tl	Myocardial	Tc-99m-Annexin	Apoptosis
	perfusion
201Tl	Myocardial	123I-BMIPP	Hypoxia
	perfusion
Tc-99m-	Myocardial	111In-Annexin	Apoptosis
teboroxime	perfusion
Tc-99m-	Myocardial	123I-Fatty acid	Metabolism
teboroxime	perfusion
111In-WBC	Infection	Tc-99m-SC	Bone Marrow
111In-DTPA	Kidney (GFR)	Tc-99m-MAG3	Kidney (tubular
			secretion)
Tc-99m-RBC	Blood pool	111In-Prostascint	Prostate cancer
Tc-99m-	Cerebral blood	123I-IBZM	Dopamine D2
HMPAO	flow		receptors

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses protocols for studying the kinetics of thallium. For some applications, such protocols provide dynamic information regarding myocardial function, such as blood flow, rate of thallium uptake, thallium accumulation/redistribution, thallium metabolism, and/or thallium and/or metabolite secretion and/or wash-out (active or passive). Kinetic perfusion radiopharmaceutical modeling provides absolute myocardial perfusion measurements, coronary flow reserve, and parametric representation of cellular function.

In accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention, thallium protocols include:

• • protocols using a conventional dose of thallium, with a substantially reduced SPECT image acquisition duration, e.g., less than about 6 minutes, such as less than about 2 minutes, e.g., about 0.5 minutes. By way of comparison, conventional thallium SPECT imaging procedures generally have image acquisition durations of between about 10 and about 20 minutes. For some applications, the thallium protocol is customized for a specific patient, as described hereinabove;
  • protocols using a conventional dose of thallium and a conventional image acquisition duration, with a substantially increased image resolution. For some applications, acquired photon counts are at least 5 times greater than those acquired using conventional SPECT techniques, e.g., at least 10 times greater, resulting in an image with substantially higher resolution; and
  • dynamic protocols for myocardial perfusion studies that provide absolute quantitative measurements. For example, images of the heart may be reconstructed from list mode data, with a temporal resolution of 5-10 seconds. This temporal resolution is typically appropriate for the measurement of the kinetics of uptake and wash-out of thallium from the myocardium, as well as those of an input bolus as it passes through the left ventricle. Such data enables the measurement of absolute myocardial blood flow at rest and during peak stress.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses protocols for cardiac stress testing studies, using, for example, Tc-99m-sestamibi, Tc-99m tetrofosmin, or thallium. Such protocols differentiate between healthy cardiac tissue and scarred or poorly perfused cardiac tissue. Perfusion defects that appear after exercise or pharmacologic stress suggest either vascular occlusion or myocardial infarction. For some applications, such studies are performed gated to the patient's ECG, in order to study cardiac wall motion. Wall motion studies allow calculation of key cardiac function parameters, such as ejection fraction and estimated cardiac output.

In accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention, cardiac stress testing protocols, which use, for example, Tc-99m-sestamibi, Tc-99m tetrofosmin, or thallium, include:

• • protocols using a conventional dose, with a substantially reduced SPECT image acquisition duration, e.g., less than about 6 minutes, such as less than about 2 minutes, e.g., about 0.5 minutes. By way of comparison, conventional cardiac stress testing SPECT imaging procedures generally have image acquisition durations of between about 10 and about 20 minutes. For some applications, the protocol is customized for a specific patient, as described hereinabove. For some applications, such as when the protocol uses Tc-99m-sestamibi, image acquisition is performed immediately following administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, before the agent reaches the liver, thereby reducing interference by the liver on the resulting images.
  • protocols using a dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent that is substantially lower than conventional SPECT protocols using the agent. For example, the dose may be between about 50% and about 90% lower than a conventional dose, e.g., about 50% lower than a conventional dose. By using the image acquisition techniques described herein and/or incorporated herein by reference, even at such reduced doses, acquired photon counts are typically at least 5 times greater than those acquired using conventional SPECT techniques at conventional SPECT doses, e.g., at 10 times greater, and image acquisition duration is typically about 50% less than conventional durations, e.g., about 80% less (such as four minutes instead of 20 minutes). Alternatively, the dose may be reduced by about 90%, and the image acquisition duration is approximately the same as conventional image acquisition durations.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses Tc-99m teboroxime for performing a SPECT myocardial perfusion study. This radiopharmaceutical is extracted by the myocardium in proportion to myocardial blood flow throughout the entire range of achievable flow rates. When conventional imaging techniques are used, the wash-out rate of Tc-99m teboroxime from cardiac tissue is so rapid that there is inadequate time for imaging, because the radiopharmaceutical rapidly and avidly accumulates in the liver, which emits gamma rays that blind the imaging of the heart. By using the imaging techniques described herein and/or incorporated herein by reference, sufficient photon counts are obtained in an image acquisition period of no more than approximately two minutes, immediately following administration. The use of such a short period enables the completion of image acquisition prior to substantial uptake of the radiopharmaceutical by the liver, thereby enabling the effective clinical use of Tc-99m teboroxime for cardiac imaging.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a dynamic multiple isotope combination protocol is provided for studying different pathological processes of the same organ, such as studying acute myocardial ischemia. In accordance with this protocol, the following labeled radiopharmaceutical agents are administered as bolus IV injections:

• • (a) an approximately 2 mCi dose of I-123-BMIPP, followed by a wait of about 48 hours;
  • (b) an approximately 1 mCi dose of Tl-201-thallous chloride; and
  • (c) either (i) an approximately 10 mCi dose of Tc-99m-sestamibi or (ii) an approximately 10 mCi dose of Tc-99m-teboroxime.

Agents (b) and (c) are administered as a cocktail, or as separate injections at approximately the same time. Simultaneous image acquisition of all three radiopharmaceutical agents is performed during or soon after administration of agents (b) and (c), typically using an up to about 30 minute acquisition time, such as between about 5 and about 15 minutes, which is faster than that of standard imaging protocols. Typically,camera492 ofimaging system28, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11, performs image acquisition using an energy window of between about 2% and about 10% of the emitted energy levels of the radiopharmaceutical agents. Typically,detectors494 ofcamera492 sweep the region of interest once every approximately 10 to approximately 15 seconds. The I-123-BMIPP identifies the ischemic/infracted area of the myocardium, while the other radiopharmaceutical agents identify the perfused area of the myocardium. Simultaneous imaging provides more accurate identification of myocardial perfusion pathologies than is generally possible using conventional imaging techniques and protocols.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses an ultra-fast protocol pursuant to which a patient undergoes a rest and stress Tc-99-sestamibi (MIBI) study having a total study duration of between about 12 and about 18 minutes, e.g., about 15 minutes, and a total image acquisition duration of between about eight and about 12 minutes, e.g., about ten minutes. For example, pursuant to the protocol:

• • about 3 mCi of MIBI may be administered to the patient as a bolus IV injection (alternatively, about 8 mCi is administered), followed by saline administration,
  • the patient may rest for between about zero and about two minutes, e.g., about one minute,
  • an image acquisition having a duration of between about six and ten minutes may be performed, e.g., about eight minutes,
  • the patient may be physically stressed, such as by adenosine infusion for about three to about four minutes,
  • about 20-45 mCi of MIBI (e.g., about 25-35 mCi, e.g., 30 mCi) may be administered as a bolus IV injection, such as about two minutes after the beginning of the adenosine infusion (i.e., at peak stress), followed by saline administration, and
  • a second image acquisition having a duration of about two minutes may be performed after the conclusion of the adenosine infusion (optionally, after a wait period of approximately two minutes).

Alternatively, the protocol is performed using Tc-99m tetrofosmin instead of MIBI.

Such a protocol typically has a total duration of only about 15 minutes, and is performed in a single sitting under the imaging camera, which is typically enabled by the use of the automated administration and imaging protocol techniques described herein. The use of such a low dose during the rest phase of the protocol obviates the conventional need to wait between rest and stress injections for decay of the rest dose.

For some applications, a kit is provided for performing the protocol, comprising a saline syringe, an adenosine syringe, a thallium syringe, and a MIBI (or tetrofosmin) syringe. The four syringes are optionally coupled to joiningelement420, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 19-25, and information regarding the administration protocol and/or imaging protocol is stored indata carrier434 and/or patient-specific data carrier24.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses an ultra-fast protocol pursuant to which a patient undergoes a rest thallium and stress Tc-99-sestamibi (MIBI) study having a total study duration of between about 15 and about 19 minutes, e.g., about 17 minutes, and a total image acquisition duration of between about six and about ten minutes, e.g., about eight minutes. For example, pursuant to the protocol:

• • about 2-5 mCi of thallium (e.g., about 3-4.5 mCi) may be administered to the patient as a bolus IV injection, followed by saline administration,
  • the patient may rest for between about two and about six minutes, e.g., about five minutes,
  • an image acquisition having a duration of between about two and six minutes, e.g., between about three and about four minutes,
  • the patient may be physically stressed, such as by adenosine infusion for about three to about four minutes,
  • about 20-40 mCi of MIBI (e.g., about 25-35 mCi, such as about 30 mCi) may be administered as a bolus IV injection, such as about two minutes after the beginning of the adenosine infusion (i.e., at peak stress), followed by saline administration, and
  • a second image acquisition having a duration of about two to four minutes, e.g., about two minutes, may be performed after the conclusion of the adenosine infusion (optionally, after a wait period of approximately two minutes).

Alternatively, the protocol is performed using Tc-99m tetrofosmin instead of MIBI.

Such a protocol typically has a total duration of only about 20 minutes, and is performed in a single sitting under the imaging camera, which is typically enabled by the use of the automated administration and imaging protocol techniques described herein. The use of different isotopes during the rest and stress phases of the protocol obviates the conventional need to wait between rest and stress injections for decay of the rest dose.

For some applications, a kit is provided for performing the protocol, comprising a saline syringe, an adenosine syringe, a first MIBI (or tetrofosmin) syringe, and a second MIBI (or tetrofosmin) syringe. Alternatively, the kit comprises a single MIBI (or tetrofosmin) syringe, which has a sufficient dose for both the rest and stress phases. The three or four syringes are optionally coupled to joiningelement420, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 19-25, and information regarding the administration protocol and/or imaging protocol is stored indata carrier434 and/or patient-specific data carrier24.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses a dynamic protocol for blood flow and coronary flow reserve measurements. Pursuant to the protocol a patient undergoes a rest and stress Tc-99m-teboroxime study having a total study duration of between about 12 and about 16 minutes, e.g., about 14 minutes, and a total image acquisition duration of between about eight and about 12 minutes, e.g., about ten minutes. For example, pursuant to the protocol:

• • about 8-12 mCi of teboroxime may be administered to the patient as a bolus IV injection, followed by a saline flush,
  • beginning substantially simultaneously with the administration, a low-resolution image acquisition having a duration of between about 0.4 and 0.6 minutes, e.g., about 0.5 minutes is performed, using, for example, 5 second frames,
  • beginning substantially immediately upon conclusion of the low-resolution image acquisition procedure, a high-resolution image acquisition having a duration of between about four and about five minutes, e.g. about 4.5 minutes, using, for example, 20 second frames,
  • the patient may be physically stressed, such as by adenosine infusion for about three to about four minutes,
  • about 25-35 mCi of teboroxime may be administered as a bolus IV injection, such as substantially immediately after or about two minutes after the beginning of the adenosine infusion (i.e., at peak stress), followed by a saline flush,
  • beginning upon conclusion of the adenosine administration, a low-resolution image acquisition having a duration of between about 0.4 and 0.6 minutes, e.g., about 0.5 minutes is performed, using, for example, 5 second frames, and
  • beginning substantially immediately upon conclusion of the low-resolution image acquisition procedure, a high-resolution image acquisition having a duration of between about four and about five minutes, e.g. about 4.5 minutes, using, for example, 20 second frames.

Such a protocol typically has a total duration of only about 14 minutes, and is performed in a single sitting under the imaging camera, which is typically enabled by the use of the automated administration and imaging protocol techniques described herein.

The dynamic imaging of teboroxime using the imaging techniques described herein and/or in the co-assigned applications incorporated herein by reference allows the assessment of absolute myocardial perfusion as well as coronary flow reserve, for both rest and stress studies. By sampling the myocardium in five-second intervals during the first pass stage, it is possible to accurately estimate the input function. Once the tracer begins to diffuse into the myocardium, sampling time of the myocardium is increased to thirty-second intervals, and subsequently the dynamic sequences are analyzed using a compartmental analysis approach. This protocol requires exact knowledge of the rate of the injection of the bolus and also requires a flush immediately following the injection of the radiopharmaceutical. The use of the automated administration and imaging protocol techniques described herein enable performance of this protocol. In addition, it is important that the bolus be in a relatively small volume. The use of the kit described immediately hereinbelow ensures such an accurate volume. The flush is used to push the bolus through and to keep it tight as well as to wash out residual radioactivity from the infusion line, so that this activity does not contaminate the next bolus injection.

For some applications, a kit is provided for performing the protocol, comprising a saline syringe, an adenosine syringe, a first teboroxime syringe, and a second teboroxime syringe. Alternatively, the kit comprises a single teboroxime syringe, which has a sufficient dose for both the rest and stress phases. The three or four syringes are optionally coupled to joiningelement420, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIGS. 19-25, and information regarding the administration protocol and/or imaging protocol is stored indata carrier434 and/or patient-specific data carrier24.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 uses one or more of the protocols described in the above-mentionedU.S. Provisional Application 60/799,688, filed May 11, 2006, entitled, “Imaging protocols.”

In some embodiments of the present invention, the protocols described herein (including those shown inFIGS. 6A-E), and in the co-assigned patent applications incorporated herein by reference, are performed using values that vary from those provided in the protocols by +/−20%, e.g., +/−5%, +/−10%, or +/−15%. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the protocols are performed with a range of doses from 50%, 75%, 90%, or 100% of the dosage value given for the respective protocol, up to 10 times the dosage value given for the respective protocol (such as up to 2, 4, 6, or 8 times the given dosage value). For example, a dose shown as 3 mCi for a given protocol may, in some embodiments, have a range of 1.5 mCi to 30 mCi, or from 2.7 mCi to 6 mCi. Similarly, in some embodiments, the protocols are performed with a range of acquisition durations (total scan times) from 50%, 75%, 90%, or 100% of the duration value given for the respective protocol, up to 5 times the duration value given for the respective protocol, such as up to 1.5, 2, 3, or 4 times the given duration value. Other protocol values, such as waiting times, energy windows/resolution, angular range, angular step, and dwell time, may also have a range from 50%, 75%, 90%, or 100% of the value given for the respective protocol, up to 5 times the value given for the respective protocol, such up to 1.5, 2, 3, or 4 times the given value.

In respective embodiments of the present invention, all of the protocols described herein and/or in the co-assigned patent applications incorporated herein by reference are enabled to generate clinically-valuable images. A “clinically-valuable image” is an image of an intra-body region of interest (ROI) containing the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s), which image fulfills one or more of the following criteria:

• • the image is generated according to a protocol, including at the radiopharmaceutical dose specified by the protocol, using a high-definition SPECT camera, for example,camera492 ofimaging system28, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11, which camera, during the imaging of the ROI, is capable of acquiring at least one of 5000 photons emitted from the ROI during the image acquisition procedure, such as at least one of 4000, 3000, 2500, 2000, 1500, 1200, 1000, 800, 600, 400, 200, 100, or 50 photons emitted from the ROI. In one particular embodiment, the camera is capable of acquiring at least one of 2000 photons emitted from the ROI during the image acquisition procedure;
  • the image is generated according to a protocol, including at the radiopharmaceutical dose and image acquisition duration specified by the protocol, using a high-definition SPECT camera, for example,camera492, which, during the imaging of the ROI, is capable of acquiring at least 200,000 photons, such as at least 500,000, 1,000,000, 2,000,000, 3,000,000, 4,000,000, 5,000,000, 8,000,000, or 10,000,000 photons, emitted from a portion of the ROI having a volume of no more than 500 cc, such as a volume of no more than 500 cc, 400 cc, 300 cc, 200 cc, 150 cc, 100 cc, or 50 cc. In one particular embodiment, the camera is capable of acquiring at least 1,000,000 photons emitted from a volume of the ROI having a volume of no more than 200 cc;
  • the image has a resolution of at least 7×7×7 mm, such as at least 6×6×6 mm, 5×5×5 mm, 4×4×4 mm, 4×3×3 mm, or 3×3×3 mm, in at least 50% of the reconstructed volume, wherein the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent as distributed within the ROI has a range of emission-intensities R (which is measured as emitted photons/unit time/volume), and wherein at least 50% of the voxels of the reconstructed three-dimensional emission-intensity image of the ROI have inaccuracies of less than 30% of range R, such as less than 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of range R. For example, the agent may emit over a range from 0 photons/second/cc to 10^5 photons/second/cc, such that the range R is 10^5 photons/second/cc, and at least 50% of the voxels of the reconstructed three-dimensional intensity image of the ROI have inaccuracies of less than 15% of range R, i.e., less than 1.5×10^4 photons/second/cc. For some applications, the study produce a parametric image related to a physiological process occurring in each voxel. In one particular embodiment, the image has a resolution of at least 5×5×5 mm, and at least 50% of the voxel have inaccuracies of less than 15% of range R;
  • the image is generated according to a protocol, including at the radiopharmaceutical dose and image acquisition duration specified by the protocol, the image has a resolution of at least 7×7×7 mm, such as at least 6×6×6 mm, 5×5×5 mm, 4×4×4 mm, 4×3×3 mm, or 3×3×3 mm, wherein the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent has a range of intensities R (photons/unit time/volume), and wherein at least 50% of the voxels of the reconstructed three-dimensional intensity image of the ROI have inaccuracies of less than 30% of range R, such as less than 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of range R. For some applications, the study produce a parametric image related to a physiological process occurring in each voxel; and/or
  • the image has a resolution of at least 20×20×20 mm, such as at least 15×15×15 mm, 10×10×10 mm, 7×7×7 mm, 5×5×5 mm, 4×4×4 mm, 4×3×3 mm, or 3×3×3 mm, wherein values of parameters of a physiological process modeled by a parametric representation have a range of physiological parameter values R, and wherein at least 50% of the voxels of the reconstructed parametric three-dimensional image have inaccuracies less than 100% of range R, such as less than 70%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of range R. For example, the physiological process may include blood flow, the values of the parameters of the physiological process may have a range from 0 to 100 cc/minute, such that the range R is 100 cc/minute, and at least 50% of the voxels of the reconstructed parametric three-dimensional image have inaccuracies less than 25% of range R, i.e., less than 25 cc/minute. In one particular embodiment, the image has a resolution of at least 5×5×5 mm, and at least 50% of the voxels have inaccuracies of less than 25% of range R.
    The Mother Vial

Reference is made toFIG. 7, which is a schematic illustration ofmother vial104 and attacheddata carrier106, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Data carrier106 is computer-communicatable, and typically comprises an RFID tag, smart card, memory card (such as a disk-on-key (e.g., a USB key)), compact disc, minidisk, disposable computer-readable medium, or other electronic memory, or a machine-readable code, e.g., a computer-readable scannable label, such as a barcode, two-dimensional bar code, or color-coded code.Mother vial104 is shown contained within shielding272, to whichdata carrier106 is attached. Alternatively, the data carrier is attached directly to the mother vial, or otherwise associated with the mother vial, such as by being stored in proximity to the mother vial, e.g., in a tray that also contains the mother vial.

Data carrier106 typically contains at least some of the following information:

• • acoded signature256, for authenticatingmother vial104;
  • radiopharmaceutical information, a portion of which is typically supplied by the manufacturer, and a portion of which is typically generated by dispensingsystem20 in conjunction with dispensing the radiopharmaceutical agent(s). For some applications, a portion of the information is generated by mothervial preparation system700, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 15, in conjunction with preparing the radiopharmaceutical. The information includes, for example:
    • the name of and/or information regarding the manufacturer;
    • the indicated use(s) (e.g., “Formulation for Cardiac Dynamic Studies”);
    • the pre-labeled composition;
    • the time of preparation of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s);
    • the radioactivity at the time of preparation;
    • the total solution volume;
    • the pre-labeled-composition expiration date;
    • the appropriate labeling isotope(s);
    • the decay scheme(s) of the appropriate labeling isotope(s);
    • the radiopharmaceutical biodistribution as a function of time;
    • the radiopharmaceutical clearance rate;
    • the percent clearance by the liver;
    • the percent clearance by the kidneys;
    • the breakdown rate;
    • the liver uptake as a function of time; and/or
    • radiopharmaceutical kinetic parameters, such as described hereinbelow, which parameters may be stored in one or more lookup tables;
  • administration protocol information, such as described hereinbelow;
  • image acquisition protocol information, such as described hereinbelow;
  • image reconstruction protocol information, such as described hereinbelow;
  • image analysis protocol information, such as described hereinbelow;
  • expert system protocol information, such as described hereinbelow;
  • radiolabeling information, which, for some applications, is generated by mothervial preparation system700, described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 15. Such information includes, for example:
    • the labeling radioisotope(s), e.g., Tc-99m;
    • time of labeling;
    • activity of the radioisotope(s) per volume at the time of labeling;
    • total solution volume in the mother vial; and/or
    • ratio of radioisotopes (e.g., Tc-99m to Tc-99) at the time of labeling.

If the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent stored in the mother vial is radiolabeled by mothervial preparation system700, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 15, the labeling information is provided by the mother vial preparation system. Otherwise, the labeling information is provided by the pharmacist and/or conventional labeling system that radiolabels the unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

The radiopharmaceutical kinetic parameters are used by imagingsystem28 for performing dynamic imaging studies, for example as described in the above-mentioned International Patent Application PCT/IL2005/001173, and/or in the above-mentionedU.S. Provisional Application 60/799,688, filed May 11, 2006, entitled, “Imaging protocols”. For some applications, respective sets of these parameters are provided for:

• • different patient populations, such as a healthy population and populations which suffer from various pathologies;
  • different organs and/or tissue types, for example, brain tissue, cardiac tissue, liver tissue, and tumor tissue;
  • different pathologies;
  • different patient physiologies;
  • different organs, according to the physiology of the specific patient;
  • different patient groups, as expected according to the physiology of the specific patient;
  • different pathologies, as expected according to the physiology of the specific patient;
  • different organs, as measured for the specific patient;
  • different patient groups, as measured for the specific patient; and/or
  • different pathologies, as measured for the specific patient.

Such kinetic parameters may include, for example:

• • volume of blood in a voxel;
  • density of blood in a tissue within a voxel;
  • labeled radiopharmaceutical agent concentration in the blood within a voxel;
  • labeled radiopharmaceutical agent concentration in a tissue within a voxel;
  • total labeled radiopharmaceutical agent concentration in a voxel;
  • labeled radiopharmaceutical agent concentration in the systemic blood circulation;
  • linearity with blood flow;
  • receptor binding for molecular radiotracers;
  • labeled radiopharmaceutical accumulation/redistribution in tissue;
  • labeled radiopharmaceutical metabolic rate;
  • diffusion coefficient from the blood to the tissue (i.e., rate of wash-out, passive or active);
  • diffusion coefficient from the tissue to the blood (i.e., rate of uptake, passive or active); and/or
  • accumulation rate in a tissue within a voxel.

The administration protocol information is used byadministration system26 to set parameters of administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained incontainer22. This protocol information may include, for example:

• • the dose administered, or for multiple radiopharmaceutical agents, the respective doses per administration;
  • the type of administration, e.g., a single bolus, a plurality of boluses (e.g., two boluses), pulsatile administration, or constant drip administration;
  • the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for each administration, whether a single agent or a cocktail of agents;
  • the time of the administration with respect to the time of imaging;
  • the timings of multiple administrations with respect to each other and with respect to other activities, such as rest or stress (physical or pharmacological);
  • the administration device, e.g., a syringe, a dual-needle syringe, a pump, or an IV line;
  • the mode of administration, e.g., manual, automatic, or computer driven; and/or
  • an algorithm for customizing the administration based on physiological parameters of the specific patient.

The image acquisition protocol information is used by imagingsystem28 to set parameters of the image acquisition process. For some applications, such parameters are separately specified for individual components ofcamera492 ofimaging system28, or groups of components, such as forindividual detectors494 or groups of detectors. Such acquisition protocol information may include, for example:

• • the name(s) and/or identification code(s) of one or more protocols for which the radiopharmaceutical agent contained inmother vial104 is suitable;
  • total acquisition time, and/or acquisition time for a plurality of phases of acquisition;
  • detector scanning plan, including detector motions, such as detector angular and translational motions, detector step size (typically expressed in degrees), and detector dwell time at each view;
  • detector sensitivity;
  • detector energy resolution;
  • detector calibration plan;
  • definition of the region of interest (ROI);
  • gating parameters;
  • energy bands, i.e., a plurality of non-overlapping energy windows;
  • collimator positioning, shape, structure, and orientation;
  • multiple/interlaced scans;
  • zooming parameters;
  • uniformity/non-uniformity of scan;
  • Compton scatter map calculation and correction parameters;
  • optimal energy window;
  • optimal energy resolution, i.e., the range of energy window levels detected; and/or
  • adaptivity of scan pattern to acquired counts, e.g., active vision parameters (as described in the above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173).

For some applications, the optimal energy window is set at least in part responsively to the BMI of the patient. For example, the width of the energy window (i.e., the energy resolution) may be inversely related to the BMI, because the tissue of patients with higher BMIs tends to create more scatter. To compensate for narrower energy windows, a longer acquisition time and/or a higher dose of radiopharmaceutical agent is typically used. For some applications, the protocol information includes a look-up table of BMIs and associated energy windows. For some applications, the energy window is non-symmetrical around a peak of the energy curve.

The image reconstruction protocol information is used by imagingsystem28 to set parameters of the image reconstruction process. Such parameters may include, for example:

• • calibration parameters;
  • timing of acquisition;
  • reconstruction parameters and algorithms;
  • priors, i.e., mathematical constants signifying pre-imaging phase knowledge about system behavior;
  • multi-resolution reconstruction parameters;
  • non-uniform reconstruction grid;
  • filters;
  • noise modeling and handling;
  • mode selection;
  • information derived during image acquisition and/or gating;
  • protocols for handling interfering organs;
  • protocols describing the precise procedure to be followed in radiopharmaceutical administration, time management, patient activity status, imaging process, and other parameters that can affect imaging results;
  • optimization parameters per dose and/or cocktail of doses; and/or
  • attenuation correction parameters, which are typically based on physiological parameters such as body mass, BMI, and girth.

For some applications,imaging system28 uses one or more of these parameters to perform the image reconstruction process using techniques described in one or more of the co-assigned patent applications incorporated herein by reference.

The image analysis protocol information includes analysis algorithms and/or parameters of the image analysis process, which are used by imagingsystem28 for performing diagnostic analysis of the reconstructed image. For some applications, such analysis includes tracer kinetics analysis. Such parameters may include, for example:

• • information for selection of a model of tracer kinetics;
  • information for selection of one or more time scales for tracer kinetics;
  • tracer parameters;
  • information for analysis of multiple time points;
  • information for analysis regarding the clinical meaning of radiation distribution within the patient's body for the purpose of making a clinical diagnosis regarding the patient's health state;
  • information for identifying the signatures of multiple labeled radiopharmaceutical agents; and/or
  • optimization parameters per dose and/or cocktail of doses.

The expert system protocol information, such as expert system rules, is used by imagingsystem28 to set parameters of the expert system used for assisting with diagnosis. For some applications, the expert system is implemented using techniques described in the above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173, or in one or more of the other co-assigned patent applications incorporated by reference. Such parameters may include, for example:

• • classification of the patient into a patient population;
  • multi-parameter vectors of radiopharmaceutical kinetic parameters for different patient populations, such as a healthy population and populations which suffer from various pathologies, and for different tissue types, for example, brain tissue, cardiac tissue, liver tissue, or tumor tissue;
  • patient history;
  • multi-dimensional thresholds for defining healthy-disease state;
  • disease signature classifications per pathology and/or organ (typically per patient population); and/or
  • optimization parameters per dose and/or cocktail of doses.
    The Portable Information-Bearing Radiopharmaceutical Agent Container

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration ofdata carrier120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned above,data carrier120 is physically coupled toradiopharmaceutical agent container22.Data carrier120 is computer-communicatable, and typically comprises an RFID tag, smart card, memory card (such as a disk-on-key (e.g., a USB key)), compact disc, minidisk, disposable computer-readable medium, or other electronic memory, or a machine-readable code, e.g., a computer-readable scannable label, such as a barcode, two-dimensional bar code, or color-coded code. One ormore communication elements240 are provided for reading data from and transmitting data todata carrier24.Respective communication elements240 are typically in data communication with dispensingsystem20 andadministration system26. For some applications,communication elements240 comprise one or more coils for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation. Typically, the communication elements are configured to have a short effective transmission range, e.g., no more than between about 20 and 40 cm, such as about 30 cm. Such a short range reduces the likelihood of accidental communication with a data carrier other than the intended data carrier.

Data carrier120 comprisescircuitry250, which comprises memory and logic. For some applications,data carrier120 is passive, in which case it is configured to receive energy fromcommunication element240. For other applications,data carrier120 comprises a power source (not shown). For some applications in which the data carrier comprises a power source, the data carrier comprises a communication element for communicating and/or energizing another electronic apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, the data carrier comprises acommunication element252 configured for wireless communication. For some applications,data carrier24 further comprises auser output254 for outputting information to the patient or healthcare workers. For example,output254 may comprise a display screen, light, and/or sound generator, which the circuitry drives to communicate information, such as when communications have been established with other elements ofsystem10, e.g.,data carrier120,administration system26, orimaging system28. For some applications,data carrier120 further comprises codedsignature256, which is typically encrypted, color-coded, or both encrypted and color-coded, as described hereinbelow in the section entitled “Signature.”

The information contained indata carrier120 typically includes some or all of the following:

• • an administration-device identification code;
  • an identifier, such as an identification code and/or name, of the patient for which the specific attachedradiopharmaceutical agent container22 is intended;
  • the formulation of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained in attachedcontainer22;
  • the time of dispensing of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) tocontainer22;
  • activity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s), at the time of dispensing of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) tocontainer22;
  • the assigned protocol(s) for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained in attachedcontainer22;
  • the intended time(s) and date(s) of administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained incontainer22;
  • the intended activity(ies) of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) at the time of administration thereof;
  • the intended time profile of administration (single bolus, slow-drip administration, or any other form of administration);
  • the identification code ofmother vial104 from which the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained incontainer22 were dispensed; and/or
  • at least a portion of the radiopharmaceutical information stored indata carrier106 ofmother vial104, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 7. This information is typically electronically transferred fromdata carrier106 during dispensing of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) tocontainer22, as described hereinabove with reference to step118 ofFIG. 2 and hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 12.

As mentioned above, for some applications, all or a portion of the information contained in patient-specific data carrier24 is alternatively or additionally stored indata carrier120. Such information is described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 7. For some applications, a portion of the information stored in the data carrier is also printed in human- and/or machine-readable form on the data carrier and/or on the container, for example as abarcode260, as shown below inFIGS. 9A-H.

In an embodiment of the present invention,radiopharmaceutical agent container22 comprises all or a portion of a drug administration device, such as a syringe or an inhalation device, packaging for an oral dosage form, or radiopharmaceutical packaging.

Reference is made toFIGS. 9A-H, which are schematic illustrations of respective embodiments ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22 anddata carrier120, in accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention. In all of these embodiments,data carrier120 is physically coupled toagent container22.

FIG. 9A is a schematic illustration ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22 comprising amanual syringe270, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Syringe270 is protected by shielding272, to whichdata carrier120 is coupled. Alternatively, the data carrier is coupled directly to an exposed portion of the syringe, such as the end of the plunger of the syringe, as shown in the figure.

FIG. 9B is a schematic illustration ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22 comprising anautomatic administration device280, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Device280 comprises achamber282 for containing the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s), aneedle283, acontroller284, adrive286, and apower source288. For some applications,controller284 is preprogrammed with administration instructions, while for other applications, the controller is coupled toadministration system26 and receives an administration signal therefrom prior to administration, or in real time during administration.Administration device280 typically includes aninterlock290 to prevent administration without verification, for example, of the patient's identity. For some applications,device180 comprises aflow meter292, which measures the volume of labeled radiopharmaceutical agent administered.Controller284 uses this flow information for regulating parameters of the administration, such as rate of administration and total amount of agent administered. Shielding272 protects medical personnel from the radioactivity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

FIG. 9C is a schematic illustration of a multi-chamber embodiment ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,container22 comprises a plurality of chambers in fluid isolation from one another, each of which chambers contains a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9C, the container comprises two such chambers, afirst chamber282A and asecond chamber282B. Alternatively, the container comprises more than two chambers (configuration not shown). For some multi-chamber applications,container22 comprisesautomatic administration device280, as shown inFIG. 9C, while for other multi-chamber applications,container22 comprises a plurality ofmanual syringes270, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 9A (multi-chamber configuration not shown). For some applications, aseparate needle283 is provided for each injection, while for other applications,container22 is configured to utilize asingle needle283 for the plurality of injections. For example,needle283 may be configured to slide along aneedle mount294, so as to service the plurality of chambers.

FIG. 9D is a schematic illustration of another configuration ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,container22 comprisesautomatic administration device280, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 9B, andcontroller284 is configured to perform all or a portion of the functions ofdata carrier120. For some applications, one or more of the elements ofdata carrier120 are provided separately from the controller. For example,communication element252 oruser output254 may be provided separately from the controller.

FIGS. 9E-G are schematic illustrations of another configuration ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22 comprisingmanual syringe270, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,syringe270 comprises atransmitter296 fixed with respect to a plunger298 of the syringe, and shielding272 is configured so as to modulate effective transmission bytransmitter296. For example, shielding272 may be shaped so as to define alongitudinal slot300 along a portion of the shielding. This modulation serves to send, fromsyringe270 toadministration system26 and/orimaging system28, a signal indicative of a time of administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained incontainer22. The techniques of this embodiment are typically useful when registration of the time of administration withimaging system28 is important, such as for dynamic studies.

FIGS. 9E-G respectively illustrate three steps for administration using these techniques.FIG. 9E shows a first step, during whichtransmitter296 is exposed, and therefore effectively transmits a signal.FIG. 9F shows a second step, during whichtransmitter296 is shielded byshield272.FIG. 9G shows a third step, in whichtransmitter296 is again exposed. This sequence of exposing, shielding, and again exposing the transmitter serves to signal that administration has occurred. The receiver of the signal (administration system26 and/or imaging system28) records the time that this signal is detected. For some applications, other techniques are used to automatically transmit an indication of when the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) are administered. For example, a transmitter may be mounted onshield272, and may send a signal when electrical contact is established between electrodes (not shown) on plunger298 and shield272 at the end of complete motion of the plunger intosyringe270.

FIG. 9H is a schematic illustration of asyringe adaptor320, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Adaptor320 comprises shielding272 anddata carrier120 coupled thereto. The adaptor is configured to placed on a standard administration device, such as a standard syringe. In an embodiment of the present invention, an adaptor similar toadaptor320 is provided for use with other components of an end-to-end imaging system, such as Tc-99m vials, mother vials, dispensing tools, and dilution containers. Alternatively or additionally,data carrier120 is configured to be couplable to such other components.

In an embodiment of the present invention,data carrier120 is configured to be couplable to a standard administration device, such as a syringe. For example, the data carrier may be couplable to the barrel, plunger, or conventional shielding of a conventional syringe, or another syringe known in the art.

The Administration System

Reference is made toFIG. 10, which is a schematic illustration ofadministration system26, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Administration system26 comprises acontrol unit350, at least onecommunication element240, and, for some applications, anautomated administration device352. Typically,control unit350 comprises a standard personal computer or server with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the control unit in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM. For some applications,administration system26 comprises asingle communication element240 that communicates with both patient-specific data carrier24 anddata carrier120 ofcontainer22, while for other applications the administration system comprisesseparate communication elements240 for communicating withdata carriers120 and24 respectively. For example, a communication element for communicating withdata carrier120 may be integrated into or coupled toautomated administration device352.

Upon authenticatingcontainer22, verifying the identity of the patient, and performing additional verifications, as described hereinabove with reference to step122 ofFIG. 2,control unit350 generates an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) stored incontainer22. For applications in whichadministration system26 comprises automatedadministration device352,container22 is operatively coupled todevice352, and the signal drivesadministration device352 to administer the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) stored therein to the patient.Automated administration device352 is configured to perform intravenous (IV) injection, intramuscular (IM) injection, subcutaneous injection, transdermal application, oral administration, nasal administration, inhalation, transcervical application, transrectal administration, or another type of administration known in the art. (It is to be understood that although the administration signal triggers administration of the agent, for some applications automatedadministration device352 does not administer the agent until a healthcare worker provides a final authorization to do so, such as to comply with regulatory safety requirements.) For applications in whichadministration system26 does not compriseautomated administration device352, the administration signal triggers administration of the agent by instructing a healthcare worker to manually administer the agent to the patient.

For some applications, based on administration protocol information received fromdata carrier120 ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22 and/or patient-specific data carrier24,control unit350 customizes the administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained inagent container22. Such administration protocol information typically includes all or a portion of the administration protocol information described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 7. For some applications,administration system26 administers a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, either sequentially or premixed together within a single agent container22 (i.e., as a cocktail).

For some applications,administration system26 administers the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) responsively at least in part to acquisition of a signal associated with the agent(s). For example, acquisition of the signal may comprise detection of photons emitted from the agent(s), in order to determine a radioactivity level.

For some applications,administration system26 and/orimaging system28 monitors uptake and/or clearance of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) by (a) measuring physiological parameters, e.g., from samples of blood, saliva, or secretions, e.g., urine, breath, feces, or sweat, or (b) by performing an imaging procedure usingimaging system28. For some applications, these measurements are used to estimate pharmacokinetics of the radiopharmaceutical agent(s) in organs, and/or to predict optimal imaging timing (the optimal time to perform the imaging, and/or the optimal timing parameters of the imaging procedure). For some applications, based on these estimates, an expected level of uptake of the radiopharmaceuticals in a target organ is determined, enabling diagnosis of pathologies based on absolute uptake levels in the target organ.

Reference is made toFIG. 19, which is a schematic illustration of another configuration ofadministration system26, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration,automated administration device352 comprises aninjector400, which is configured to perform IV injection. Alternatively or additionally,injector400 is configured to perform intra-arterial injection, or comprises an inhaler for delivering the contents of one or more ofcontainer401 by inhalation.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration ofinjector400 with acover402 thereof in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Injector400 is shaped so as define anenclosure403 that is configured to hold a plurality ofcontainers401, which typically comprise syringes. Typically, one or more ofcontainers401 compriseradiopharmaceutical agent containers22, described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 1, for example. In addition, for some applications, one or more ofcontainers401 comprise asaline container404 and/or a non-radioactivepharmaceutical container406, which contains, for example, a stress pharmaceutical (e.g., adenosine). For some applications,enclosure403 is configured to hold containers, e.g., syringes, of differing sizes (e.g.,saline container404 may be larger than radiopharmaceutical agent containers22), while for other applications, the enclosure is configured to hold containers of the same size.

Injector400 comprises one or more syringe pumps, typically one percontainer401, which are integrated into the injector, and configured to individually actuate dispensing of the liquid contents of the container. For example, the pumps may comprise T34 and/or T34L syringe pumps (e.g., three T34 pumps and one T34L pump), such as are commercially available, e.g., from Caesarea Medical Electronics Ltd. (Caesarea, Israel).Respective pushers408 of the pumps extend into an interior ofenclosure403, and engagerespective heads410 ofrespective plungers412 of the syringes. Each ofcontainers401 is connected to a joiningelement420, which is removably couplable toinjector400, as described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 22.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of joiningelement420, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Joiningelement420 comprises asupport structure422, and one ormore coupling elements424, each of which typically comprises one or more valves426 (which optionally comprise luer locks and/or one-way valves),tubes428, and/orconnectors429. Couplingelements424 are configured to be coupled torespective containers401, such that the containers are in fluid communication with tubing of joiningelement420. The tubing of joiningelement420 merges the liquid pumped fromcontainers401, and is removably coupled to aninfusion line430, which comprises aconnector432 to an IV line to the patient. For some applications, at least a portion of the tubing of joiningelement420 is shaped so as to define a manifold, i.e., the tubing includes aprimary tube433 in fluid communication with a plurality oflateral tubes435.Primary tube433 is in fluid communication withinfusion line430, via aconnector437, andlateral tubes435 are in fluid communication withrespective valves426 ofcoupling elements424. Typically, joiningelement420 comprises between two and tencoupling elements424, such as three, four, or fivecoupling elements424. Alternatively, the joining element comprises exactly one or more than tencoupling elements424. For some applications, if the number ofcontainers401 needed for a particular administration protocol is less than the number ofcoupling elements424, the extra coupling elements, although still provided, are simply not used for the protocol. For other applications, a joining element having the precise number ofcoupling elements424 needed for a given protocol is provided.

Joiningelement420 comprises adata carrier434, which is physically coupled thereto, as defined hereinabove with reference toFIG. 2.Data carrier434 is computer-communicatable, and typically comprises an RFID tag, smart card, memory card (such as a disk-on-key (e.g., a USB key)), compact disc, minidisk, disposable computer-readable medium, or other electronic memory, or a machine-readable code, e.g., a computer-readable scannable label, such as a barcode, two-dimensional bar code, or color-coded code.Data carrier434 typically stores patient-specific information and/or radiopharmaceutical-related information regarding the radiopharmaceuticals contained inradiopharmaceutical agent containers22, as described in detail hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 24. Typically,data carriers120 are not provided forcontainers22.

FIG. 22 is a schematic side-view illustration of the coupling of joiningelement420 withinjector400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Injector400 is shaped to define a slot into which aportion440 of joiningelement420 is placed, such thatdata carrier434 is brought into a vicinity of acommunication element442 ofinjector400.Communication element442 reads data from and, optionally, transmits data todata carrier434, using a proprietary or standard wireless protocol, e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, W-LAN, or IEEE 802.11. For some applications,communication element442 comprises one or more coils for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation. Alternatively, the communication element is brought into physical contact withdata carrier434, and reads and/or writes the information using an electrical contact, or other coupling technique, such as inductive coupling.

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of an interior ofinjector enclosure403 containing fourcontainers401, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,containers401 comprise respective syringes of different sizes. Each of the syringes comprises ahead410, aplunger412, and abarrel436. Typically,enclosure403 comprises radioactive shielding438 that is configured to shieldcontainers22 whencover402 is closed. For some applications, one or more of the containers is delivered from the radiopharmacy withplunger412 partially depressed, in order to provide a volume of liquid that is less than the maximum volume the container holds, such as shown forcontainer404 inFIG. 23.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the joining element is shaped so as to define a support structure that is configured to be coupled tocontainers401 and physically support the containers. For some applications, the support structure is shaped so as to define a container into whichcontainers401 are placed. For example, the joining element may be shaped so as to define a cassette. The container typically comprises shielding.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a portion of the components of end-to-end automatedsystem10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For some applications,data carrier434 contains all or a portion of the data thatdata carrier120 is described as containing hereinabove with reference toFIG. 8, and/or all or a portion of the data that is stored indata carrier24, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 7. For such data that relates tocontainer22,data carrier434 typically contains the data for each ofcontainers22 that is coupled to, or intended to be coupled to, joiningelement420. For example,data carrier434 may contain one or more of the following:

• • an identifier, such as an identification code and/or name, of the patient for which the specific associatedradiopharmaceutical agent containers22 are intended;
  • information regarding the assigned imaging and/or administration protocol(s) for use with the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained in associatedcontainers22. For some applications, the protocol(s) are represented by a protocol identifier, while for other applications the protocol information includes steps and/or other details of the protocol(s). For some applications, the imaging protocol includes protocol information regarding image reconstruction, image analysis, and/or diagnosis, which is used atimage reconstruction step126,analysis step128, and/ordiagnosis step130, respectively, of the method ofFIG. 2, described hereinabove. For some applications, the protocol information includes software code for execution byimaging system28 during image acquisition, image reconstruction, image analysis, and/or diagnosis; and
  • a commercial license for use of a radioimaging protocol and/or an administration protocol with joiningelement420.

In an embodiment of the present invention,administration system26 and/orimaging system28, such as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 10 and/orFIGS. 19-25, comprises aradiation detector460. For some applications,radiation detector460 is coupled to or a component ofadministration system26, such as ofautomated administration device352 orinjector400. Alternatively or additionally, the radiation detector is coupled toimaging system28. For some applications, whether coupled to the administration system and/or the imaging system, the radiation detector is configured to be coupled to the patient (e.g., a hand or ear of the patient) or in a vicinity of the patient, in order to detect radiation emanating from the patient.

For some applications in whichradiation detector460 is coupled toadministration system26, the administration system uses radiation information detected by the radiation detector to determine which radiopharmaceutical agent(s) have been placed inautomated administration device352 or injector400 (such as by identifying the detected energy levels if one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents comprises a unique radioisotope), and, optionally, in which positions in the device. Alternatively or additionally, the administration system used the radiation information to determine a radiation dose of one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents inrespective containers401, or in tubing of the administration system, such asinfusion line430,tubes428, and/orconnectors429.

For some applications in whichradiation detector460 is coupled to the imaging system (either directly, or via the administration system or another element of system10),imaging system28 uses radiation information detected by the radiation detector, either emanating from the body of the patient, fromcontainers401, and/or from tubing of the administration system (e.g., infusion line430) to determine:

• • the commencement of, conclusion of, and/or timing of administration of one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents administered by the administration system;
  • a blood concentration of one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents in the body of the patient, such as a time profile of the blood concentration;
  • a radiation level of one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents; and/or
  • an energy level of one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents.

As described hereinbelow, for some applications such information is used by imagingsystem28 to determine administration information without directly receiving the administration information fromadministration system26, such as for coordinating aspects of the imaging protocol with the administration protocol, and/or adjusting aspects of the acquisition and/or analysis of images based on actual levels of radiation delivered to the patient (optionally in conjunction with a time profile of the radiation). For example, these measurements may be used to estimate pharmacokinetics of the radiopharmaceutical agent(s) in organs, and/or to predict optimal imaging timing (the optimal time to perform the imaging, and/or the optimal timing parameters of the imaging procedure). For some applications, based on these estimates, an expected level of uptake of the radiopharmaceuticals in a target organ is determined, enabling diagnosis of pathologies based on absolute uptake levels in the target organ.

Reference is made toFIG. 25, which is a flow chart illustrating amethod440 for usingadministration system26 with joiningelement420, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Method440 begins at adose dispensing step441, at which dispensing system20 (FIGS. 1 and 12) dispenses customized doses of one or more radiopharmaceutical agents into one ormore containers22, using techniques described atstep116 of the method described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 2. At aninformation transfer step442 ofmethod440, dispensingsystem20 transfers patient-specific information and, optionally, radiopharmaceutical-related information todata carrier434. The patient-specific information includes the patient's identification code and/or name, and, optionally, the assigned administration and/or imaging protocols. The radiopharmaceutical-related information, if provided, typically includes the information described atstep116 of the method described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 2. In addition, the dispensing system typically prints and attaches conventional information labels tocontainers22, such as in order to comply with regulatory labeling requirements. For applications in which the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) is dispensed using conventional radiopharmacy techniques, dispensingsystem20, or another element ofsystem10, such asdose calculation system152, typically transfers the radiopharmaceutical-related information todata carrier434. Alternatively, all or a portion of the information is transferred directly from mothervial data carrier106 tocontainer data carrier434.

At averification step444, joiningelement420, includingdata carrier434 thereof, is brought into a vicinity ofcommunication element442 ofinjector400, typically whilecover402 ofinjector enclosure403 is locked closed (seeFIG. 19).Administration system26 verifies the patient, radiopharmaceutical, protocol, and/or license information contained indata carrier434. Typically, all or a portion of the information used for such verification is encrypted, andadministration system26 decrypts the information during the verification procedure. Alternatively or additionally,administration system26 accesses, over a network, information stored at a remote site, and utilizes the information for such verification. Optionally,communication element442 ofinjector400, or another communication element of the injector, reads information from patient-specific data carrier24 and matches the information with information read fromdata carrier434.

For some applications, also atverification step444, joiningelement420, includingdata carrier434 thereof, is brought into a vicinity ofcommunication element240 ofimaging system28, which verifies the patient, radiopharmaceutical, protocol, and/or license information contained indata carrier434. Such verification is performed before, after, or simultaneously with the verification performed byadministration system26. For some applications, all or a portion of the administration protocol is performed before the patient arrives at and is verified by imagingsystem28.Imaging system28 typically also verifies the identity of the patient using information provided by patient-specific data carrier24, or another element ofsystem10, such as aphysician station115; this second patient verification is performed after, before, or simultaneously with the verification usingdata carrier434.

For some applications,administration system26 and/orimaging system28 verifies that the patient identification codes contained in patient-specific data carrier24 anddata carrier434 match one another, and, typically, verifies that the administration and/or imaging protocols contained in the data carriers match one another. For some applications, at least a portion of the information stored indata carrier434 is transferred todata carrier24, either directly, viaadministration system26, or via a communication element. For some applications,administration system26 generates a signal for a healthcare worker confirming that a proper match has been made betweenagent container22 and the patient. The system also typically verifies that the current time is the proper administration time, as per the administration protocol, and that container(s)22 contains the proper dose, as per the selected protocol. Optionally,administration system26 is configured to administer the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent only if such matches are confirmed by the system. For some applications,administration system26 verifies the authenticity of a commercial license contained indata carrier434, and performs the administration only upon verification of the authenticity. For some applications,imaging system28 alternatively or additionally performs one or more of the verifications described atimaging step124 of the method ofFIG. 2.

Injector400positions pushers408 at respective positions for each ofcontainer22, based on administration protocol information, at apusher positioning step446. For some applications, the injector receives the administration protocol information fromdata carrier434, while for other applications the injector receives the information fromimaging system28 or another element ofsystem10.

At anopen cover step448,injector400 openscover402. Cover402 may be spring-loaded to enable such opening. For some applications,step448 is performed beforestep446.

At acontainer placement step450, the imaging technician removes each ofcontainers22 from the radioactive shielding in which it is stored during transport and handling thereof, and connects the containers toconnectors429 of joining element420 (FIG. 21). For some applications, the imaging technician determines the respective positions of the containers inenclosure403 ofinjector400 at least in part responsively to the respective positions ofpushers408 and heights ofheads410 with respect to shoulders of the syringes (FIG. 23). Alternatively,containers22 are connected to joiningelement420 in the radiopharmacy, in whichcase joining element420 andcontainers22 are typically stored together in a radiation-shielded container (not shown) untilstep450.

The imaging technician placescontainers22 inenclosure403 ofinjector400, and a portion ofsupport structure422 of joiningelement420 into the slot of injector400 (FIG. 22). Typically, the injector senses that the containers have been placed inenclosure403, andadministration system26 sends a signal toimaging system28 notifying the imaging system that thatadministration system26 is ready to begin the imaging procedure.Injector400 typically primes infusion line430 (FIG. 21) with saline solution from one ofcontainers401 beforeconnector432 is connected to the IV line of the patient.

At anadministration step452,administration system26 administers the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents contained inrespective containers22.Administration system26 typically customizes the administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent(s) contained in container(s)22 using information provided bydata carrier24, data carrier343,imaging system28,physician station115, and/orpatient management system160. For example,system26 may customize a time-dependent administration profile of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, such as a rate of administration, and/or an order of administration of multiple radiopharmaceutical agents stored inrespective containers22. Alternatively or additionally,administration system26 may administer less than the entire dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, e.g., based on feedback fromimaging system28 during an imaging procedure.

For some applications,administration system26 administers the radiopharmaceutical agent(s) before the performance of an imaging procedure by imagingsystem28, such as immediately before the imaging procedure, several minutes before the imaging procedure, several hours before the imaging procedure, or even one or more days before the imaging procedure. For these applications,administration system26 andimaging system28 typically need not communicate with one another. For some applications, the administration system is located in a different location than the imaging system.

For other applications, such as dynamic studies,administration system26 administers the radiopharmaceutical agent(s) during an imaging procedure performed byimaging system28. For some of these applications, the administration system is in communication with the imaging system during the administration, in order to assure information regarding time-dependent administration is accurately communicated between the administration system and the imaging system.

For others of these applications, the administration system is not in communication with the imaging system during the administration. Instead, the administration system coordinates performance of the imaging protocol with performance of the administration protocol based on administration information acquired indirectly by the imaging system. According to a first method for performing such indirect coordination, an imaging technician or other healthcare worker approximately simultaneously starts the administration protocol and the imaging procedure, such as by manually pressing separate “start” buttons on the injector and the camera. The administration and imaging protocols are typically preconfigured to coordinate related steps based on an elapsed time from the respective commencements of the protocols, thereby at least approximately coordinating (e.g., synchronizing) their respective steps. Such coordination based on elapsed time obviates the need for communication between the imaging system and the administration system during the administration and imaging procedures.

According to a second method for performing such indirection coordination,imaging system28 detects the performance of steps of the administration protocol usingradiation detector460, described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 24. For some applications, the imaging system uses the radiation detector to sense radiation emanating from the body of the patient to detect administration of one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents stored incontainers401, while for other applications, the imaging system uses the radiation detector to sense radiation emanating from an element ofinjector400 through which the one or more radiopharmaceutical agents pass during administration, such asinfusion line430,tubes428, and/orconnectors429. Alternatively or additionally,imaging system28 detects the performance of the administration protocol using camera492 (FIG. 11) to detect radiation (e.g., an amount of radiation and/or an energy level of the radiation) emanating from the body of the patient to detect administration of one or more of the radiopharmaceutical agents stored incontainers401.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an element ofsystem10 other thanadministration system26 andimaging system28 controls and coordinates the execution of the administration protocol by the administration system, and the imaging protocol by the imaging system. In this embodiment, there is typically no need for the administration system and the imaging system to communicate with one another.

For some applications,imaging system28 reads information from patient-specific data carrier24, and transmits at least a portion of the information toadministration system26, thereby obviating the need for the administration system to directly read such information fromdata carrier434.

In an embodiment of the present invention,administration system26 is programmed with a list of actions injector400 is capable of performing, such as actuating each of the syringe pumps at certain rates or volumes, setting whether the administration is drip or bolus, ceasing such actuations, aborting administration, and generating an indication of an alarm condition. Each of these actions is associated with an identifier code.Imaging system28 reads administration protocol information from patient-specific data carrier24 and/ordata carrier434, or receives administration protocol information from another element ofsystem10. For some applications, the administration protocol information includes information regarding the steps and/or other details of the protocol, while for other applications, the information protocol information includes an identifier of the administration protocol, and the imaging system, using the identifier, gets, or is preprogrammed with, information regarding the steps and/or other details of the protocol from another element ofsystem10. To execute the administration protocol (before, during, and/or after execution of the imaging protocol),imaging system28signals administration system26 to driveinjector400 to perform each of the actions specified by the administration protocol, by sending the corresponding identifier code from the imaging system to the administration system at the desired time of the action. For some applications, separate identifier codes are provided for starting and stopping each action, while for other applications, a single identifier code is provided for each action, and the imaging system sends the desired identifier code together with a start or stop signal. For some applications,administration system26 sends one or more confirmation signals toimaging system28 indicating receipt of the identifier code, successful or failed commencement of the action specified by the identifier code, and/or successful or failed completion of the action specified by the identifier code. For some applications, the imaging system is able to query a status of the administration system by sending a request for status signal. It is noted that in thisembodiment administration system26 does not receive and translate administration protocol information into actions ofinjector400; such translation is instead performed byimaging system28. Furthermore, in this embodiment, administration protocol information is typically not transferred fromdata carrier434 toadministration system26 and/orinjector400.

In an embodiment of the present invention,administration system26 controls operation ofimaging system28 using the techniques of the previous paragraph, as appropriately modified to reflect the reverse control.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,administration system26 reads administration protocol information fromdata carrier434, or receives the administration protocol information from patient-specific data carrier24 and/or another element ofsystem10. For some applications, the administration protocol information includes information regarding the steps and/or other details of the protocol, while for other applications, the information protocol information includes an identifier of the administration protocol, and the administration system, using the identifier, gets, or is preprogrammed with, information regarding the steps and/or other details of the protocol from another element ofsystem10. The administration protocol includes a plurality of steps associated with actions ofinjector400, each of which steps has associated therewith a step identifier code. For example, the step identifier codes may simply sequentially number the steps of the administration protocol. To execute the administration protocol (before, during, and/or after execution of the imaging protocol),imaging system28signals administration system26 to driveinjector400 to perform each of the actions specified by the administration protocol, by sending the corresponding step identifier code from the imaging system to the administration system at the desired time of the action. For some applications,administration system26 sends one or more confirmation signals toimaging system28 indicating receipt of the step identifier code, successful or failed commencement of the protocol step specified by the step identifier code, and/or successful or failed completion of the protocol step specified by the step identifier code. It is noted that in thisembodiment administration system26 receives and translates administration protocol information into actions ofinjector400; imagingsystem28 only specifies when to perform the steps of the administration protocol, without indicating any characteristics of the protocol steps.

In an embodiment of the present invention,administration system26 controls operation ofimaging system28 using the techniques of the previous paragraph, as appropriately modified to reflect the reverse control.

In an embodiment of the present invention,administration system26 receives administration protocol information fromdata carrier434 or another element ofsystem10. The administration system performs the administration protocol, without receiving any communication or instructions fromimaging system28. Upon commencing and, optionally, concluding each step of the imaging protocol, the administration system sends a signal to the imaging system indicating such commencement or conclusion. The imaging system typically coordinates performance of the imaging protocol based at least in part on these signals.

In an embodiment of the present invention,administration system26 receives administration protocol information fromdata carrier434 or another element ofsystem10. The administration system performs the administration protocol, without receiving any communication or instructions fromimaging system28. Upon commencing and, optionally, concluding each step of the administration protocol, the administration system sends a signal to the imaging system indicating such commencement or conclusion. The imaging system typically coordinates performance of the imaging protocol based at least in part on these signals.

In an embodiment of the present invention,imaging system28 receives imaging protocol information from patient-specific data carrier24,data carrier434, or another element ofsystem10. The imaging system performs the imaging protocol, without receiving any communication or instructions fromadministration system26. Upon commencing and, optionally, concluding each step of the imaging protocol, the imaging system sends a signal to the administration system indicating such commencement or conclusion. The administration system typically coordinates performance of the administration protocol based at least in part on these signals.

For some applications,administration system26 does not begin performance of an administration protocol, and/or perform some or all of the actions thereof, until a healthcare worker provides authorization to do so, such as to comply with regulatory safety requirements.

For some applications, the radiopharmaceutical agent(s) are administered in a closed loop with an imaging procedure performed byimaging system28;administration system26 modifies one or more parameters of the administration in real time based on feedback received fromimaging system28, and/or based on real-time measurements of physiological parameters of the patient (e.g., systemic blood concentrations) during the imaging procedure. For some protocols, the administration system administers a preliminary bolus injection, and, based on feedback fromimaging system28 and/or on physiological parameters of the patient, configures one or more parameters of a subsequent administration of the same or a different labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

Typically, for safety purposes, afteradministration system26 has read all necessary information fromdata carrier434 of joiningelement420,administration system26 permanently disablesdata carrier434, in order to ensure that the data carrier is not accidentally reused for another patient. Also for safety purposes,injector400 is typically configured to immediately cease pumping ifcover402 is opened during a procedure, and/or if an emergency stop button is pressed by the imaging technician or another healthcare worker. Similarly,injector400 may comprise a reset button.

For some applications, as a safety feature, ifimaging system28 does not receive, within a certain period after requesting the performance of a protocol step or pumping action, a signal fromadministration system26 indicating that the injector has completed the action, or, alternatively or additionally, commenced the step or action, the imaging system determines than an error has occurred, and takes appropriate action. Such action may include terminating the imaging procedure and/or notifying the imaging technician. Alternatively or additionally, the imaging system may take corrective action, such as adjusting one or more parameters of a future step of the imaging protocol and/or administration protocol. Such alternative actions, and one or more error conditions for which they apply, may be provided by the imaging and/or administration protocols, and/or may be determined by the imaging and/or administration systems, optionally at least partially responsive to input from the imaging technician or another healthcare worker.

Reference is still made toFIG. 25. After or during administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent,imaging system28 performs an imaging procedure on the patient, at animaging step454.Imaging system28 is described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 11. Typically,imaging system28 customizes the imaging procedure using information provided byadministration system26,data carrier24,data carrier434, and/orphysician station115. Such information typically includes information regarding the time of labeled radiopharmaceutical administration, the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent (e.g., radioactive strength, time of preparation, and/or kinetic parameters), patient-specific physiological information, and/or imaging protocol information. Parameters of the imaging procedure that are typically customized include, but are not limited to: total acquisition time; detector motions, such as detector angular and translational motions, detector step size (i.e., the density of the step size, typically expressed in degrees), and detector dwell time at each view; type of study, such as standard, active vision (as described in the above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173), or gated; definition of the region of interest (ROI), for example, based on the size of the heart; and/or attenuation correction parameters, which are typically based on physiological parameters such as body mass, BMI, and girth.

Upon completion of the administration and imaging procedures,method440 concludes with the performance ofimage reconstruction step126,analysis step128, anddiagnosis step130 of the method ofFIG. 2, described hereinabove, at apost-imaging step456. For some applications,administration system26 performsinformation transfer step123 described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 2. For some applications, the techniques ofmethod440 ofFIG. 25 are combined with at least a portion of the techniques of the method ofFIG. 2.

For some applications,administration system26 comprises a plurality ofinjectors400, and/orimaging system28 is coupled to a plurality ofadministration systems26 for execution of an injection protocol for an imaging procedure.

For some applications,respective data carriers120 are physically coupled tocontainers22, andadministration system26 is configured to receive patient-specific and/or protocol information fromdata carrier434 of joiningelement420 and fromdata carriers120.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the administration portions ofmethod440 ofFIG. 25 are performed alone, i.e., without performing the imaging.

The Imaging System

Reference is made toFIG. 11, which is a schematic illustration ofimaging system28, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Imaging system28 comprises acontrol unit490, acommunication element240, acamera492, and animaging workstation493. Typically,control unit490 andimaging workstation493 comprise one or more standard personal computers or servers with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the control unit and imaging workstation in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM.

Control unit490 typically comprises: (a) image acquisition functionality, which is configured to drivecamera492 to perform image acquisition of the patient; (b) image reconstruction functionality, which is configured to perform an image reconstruction procedure on the acquired image; (c) image analysis functionality, which is configured to perform an image analysis procedure on the reconstructed image; and (d) diagnosis functionality, which is configured to perform a diagnostic procedure using the results of the image analysis procedure. It will be appreciated thatcontrol unit490 may comprise a plurality of personal computers or servers, each of which performs one or more of these procedures, and that one or more of these computers or servers may be located remotely fromcamera492.Imaging workstation493 displays the reconstructed images and allows the attending healthcare worker to view and manipulate the images.

As mentioned above with reference tosteps124 through130 ofFIG. 2,imaging system28 typically customizes one or more of these procedures at least in part responsively to imaging protocol information and/or patient-specific information read bycommunication element240 from patient-specific data carrier24.

For some applications,camera492 comprises a commercially available diagnostic structural or functional camera, such as a SPECT or PET camera, and/or utilizes imaging techniques described in one or more of the patents and patent applications described hereinabove in the section entitled “Background of the Invention.” Alternatively,camera492 utilizes techniques described in the above-mentioned International Application PCT/IL2005/001173, in above-mentioned PCT Publication WO 05/119025, and/or in the other above-mentioned co-assigned patent applications and/or patent application publications.

In an embodiment of the present invention,camera492 comprises a plurality ofdetectors494, each of which is coupled to a respectiveangular orientator496. Each of the detectors comprises a plurality of gamma ray sensors, such as a pixelated CZT array, and a collimator. For example, the array may include 16×64 pixels.Control unit490 drives, typically separately, each of the orientators to orient its respective detector in a plurality of orientations with respect to a region of interest (ROI).Control unit490 produces a SPECT image from a plurality of radiation acquisitions acquired with the detectors in different relative orientations.

In an embodiment of the present invention,camera492 is configured to begin an image acquisition procedure by performing a relatively brief, preliminary scan, and, based on the results of this preliminary scan, to determine one or more parameters of the full image acquisition procedure, such as dwell time per orientation of eachdetector494. Typically, this determination further takes into account imaging protocol and/or patient-specific information received byimaging system28 from patient-specific data carrier24, such as the activity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent at the time of administration, the time of administration, the patient's BMI (which may be used to estimate a perfusion percentage), and the pharmacokinetics of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In an embodiment of the present invention,camera492 is configured to individually set a total angular range of each ofdetectors494 responsively to the detector's orientation with respect to the ROI. For example, at least one detector closer to the ROI (a “proximal detector” or an “inner detector”) may have a greater total angular range than at least one detector further from the ROI (a “distal detector” or an “outer detector”). The distal detectors are typically located nearer to the ends of a frame holding the detectors, while the proximal detectors are typically located nearer to center of the frame. The use of narrower angular ranges for some of the detectors generally reduces the photon acquisition time spent by these detectors in orientations aimed outside of the ROI. Alternatively, at least one distal detector has a greater total angular range than at least one proximal detector. In order to reduce the total angular range for a given detector,camera492 typically drives the associatedangular orientator496 to: (a) increase the dwell time of the detector in at least a portion of its orientations, and/or (b) reduce the angle by which the detector is moved during each orienting of the detector. For some applications,camera492 sets the angular range of the detectors based on protocol information received byimaging system28 from patient-specific data carrier24. For example, the number of distal and proximal detectors, and their respective angular ranges, may be specified by the protocol information, as described hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 6B-E.

In an embodiment of the present invention,camera492 comprises a plurality ofdetectors494, each of which is coupled to a respectiveangular orientator496. Each of the detectors comprises a plurality of gamma ray sensors, such as a pixelated CZT array, and a collimator.Control unit490 drives, typically separately, each of the orientators to orient its respective detector in a plurality of orientations with respect to a region of interest (ROI).Control unit490 produces a SPECT image from a plurality of radiation acquisitions acquired with the detectors in different relative orientations.

In an embodiment,camera492 is configured to drive one oforientators496 to move itsrespective detector494 through a plurality of sequential angular positions, e.g., positions1,2,3, . . . ,18,19, and20. Typically, a linear relationship relates the sequential positions, such that, for example, positions1,2,3, . . . ,20 represent 1°, 2°, 3°, . . . , 20°, or, 2°, 4°, 6°, . . . , 40°. Alternatively, a non-linear relationship relates the sequential positions. Higher or lower angular resolutions are typically obtainable, as well.

For some applications,camera492 steps the orientator in a first pass through a subset of the positions spanning most of the range of positions, and in a second pass the camera steps the orientator through a different subset of the positions. At each position, data are acquired by the detector. For example, during the first pass, the camera may drive the orientator to step throughpositions1,5,9,13, and17, and the detector acquires data at each of these positions. During the second pass, the orientator steps throughpositions2,6,10,14, and18. During two subsequent passes, data are acquired at the remainder of the positions. In this manner, a single-direction interlaced scan of the data is acquired bycamera492.

In an embodiment, a back-and-forth interlaced scan is acquired in which data are sampled when the orientator is moving in both directions. For example, during the first pass, the camera may drive the orientator to step throughpositions1,5,9,13, and17. During the second pass, the orientator steps throughpositions18,14,10,6, and2. During the third pass, the orientator steps throughpositions3,7,11,15, and19, while during the fourth pass, the orientator steps throughpositions20,16,12,8, and4. Fifth and higher passes, if desired, typically repeat the motions used in the earlier passes.

For some applications, the positions in a pass are not ordered from lowest-to-highest or highest-to-lowest. For example the positions of a pass may be1,15,11,19, and17. Typically, the positions are, however, distributed generally evenly throughout the range of positions, in order to acquire photon counts representative of the entire region of interest.

As appropriate for a given scanning protocol using interlaced scanning, one or more, or even all oforientators496 are driven to step through their respective positions in an interlaced fashion.

Typically, execution of an interlaced scan as provided by these embodiments of the present invention allows an operator ofcamera492, such as an imaging technician or other healthcare worker, to acquire a high-resolution image of the ROI in about 105% to 115% of the amount of time as would be used iforientator496 were stepped through the positions sequentially. (Typically, each orientation takes between about 50 and about 200 msec, depending upon the angle of the step.) The high-resolution image is completely acquired after the orientator has stepped through each of its positions. In some cases, additional value is attained by interlacing the scanning, however, as this allows the performance of dynamic studies, in which a plurality of images are acquired during a respective plurality of the time periods, i.e., during each complete pass of the orientator. Although each these images is typically of lower resolution than the high-resolution image acquired using photon counts acquired during all of the passes, the images nevertheless have sufficient resolution to produce clinically-meaningful data for each time period of a dynamic study.

For some applications, interlacing the scanning allows an operator to see an initial, lower-resolution scan of the ROI. If, for example, an adjustment of any form is desired, this can often be seen within the first few seconds of a scan. The present scan is terminated, the adjustment made, and a second scan initiated. In the absence of interlacing, it is typically necessary to wait until a scan has completed until an assessment of the scan's results can be made.

For some applications, it is desirable to know whether the patient has moved during a scan. Patient movement is one reason for lower quality images, and when identified it can typically be corrected by suitable instruction and then a second scanning procedure initiated. Interlaced scanning, as provided by these embodiments of the present invention, allows the operator to immediately assess whether there has been patient movement between one pass and a subsequent pass. In an embodiment, the imaging system displays to an operator the scans obtained from the various passes in rapid succession at the same location on a monitor. As appropriate, the imaging system cycles quickly through the scans repeatedly (e.g.,pass1,pass2,pass3,pass4,pass1,pass2,pass3, pass4 . . . ), e.g., displaying each scan for between about 0.2 and about 2 seconds, allowing an operator to see whether there is jitter between successive scans. If so, patient movement is typically the cause and image acquisition is repeated. For some applications, the scan is acquired in exactly two passes, e.g., the orientator steps throughpositions1,3,5, . . . ,19 during a first pass, and throughpositions2,4,6, . . . ,20 during a second pass, or throughpositions20,18,16, . . . ,2 during the second pass.

Images acquired using these techniques, or other non-interlacing techniques described herein, are generally used to perform one or more of the following image reconstructions: (a) reconstruction of intensity image, (b) reconstruction of intensity over time, followed by fitting a model of the kinetics (which describe for each voxel a parameter set describing its time curve), and followed by presenting a three-dimensional map of the parameters, and/or (c) direct reconstruction of a three-dimensional parametric representation, without performing a reconstruction of an intensity map, typically by plugging an equation of a kinetic model into a reconstruction algorithm, and generating a result directly in terms of the value of the parameters per voxel (the parameters may include, for example, flow, diffusion coefficients, metabolism rate, or bio-clearance rate).

The Radiopharmaceutical Dispensing System

Reference is made toFIG. 12, which is a schematic illustration of automatedradiopharmaceutical dispensing system20, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.System20 comprises acontrol unit500, at least onerobot502, and at least onecommunication element504, which, for some applications, is coupled torobot502.Control unit500 typically comprises a conventional personal computer running a conventional operating system, such as Windows XP, with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions described herein. This software may be downloaded to the control unit in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM.Control unit500 is in communication with other elements ofsystem10, for example via management andcontrol component150. The control unit notifies appropriate elements of the system upon successful or failed completion of dispensing of a dose.

At least oneradiolabeled mother vial104 is placed in a shielded vials complex505 of dispensingsystem20.Control unit500 authenticates the mother vial, by actuatingcommunication element504 to read authentication information stored indata carrier106, and/or by verifying acoded signature256 coupled to the mother vial, as described hereinbelow in the section entitled “Signature.” Upon successful authentication,control unit500 actuatescommunication element504 to read radiopharmaceutical-related information fromdata carrier106 of the mother vial, including the radiopharmaceutical agent type, isotope type, batch, lot, radiochemical purity (RCP), preparation time, and half-life information.Dispensing system20 assays the radioactivity per unit volume of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the mother vial.Robot502 picks up anempty syringe506 from asyringe tray508, draws a predetermined amount of solution frommother vial104, and brings the syringe to adose calibrator510. The syringe used for the assaying is typically discarded into awaste container512. Typically,robot502 brings the mother vial to a weighingstation507 for verification that the vial contains the indicated solution volume.

Dispensing system20 receives a patient-specific dose request for at least one specific labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, having a specific dose, radioactivity, and solution volume. Such a dose is typically calculated bydose calculation sub-system156 ofdose calculation system152, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 5, and/or bypatient management system160, described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 4. Alternatively or additionally, dispensingsystem20 is configured to customize, modify, or verify the dose. Further alternatively, dispensingsystem20 receives the order from another hospital or radiopharmacy information system, or the order is manually inputted intosystem20.

To fill the request,control unit500 calculates a required volume of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and a required volume of saline solution for dilution, if any. To perform this calculation,control unit500 uses (a) information read from data carrier106 (such as the half-life of the labeling isotope of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent), and (b) the assayed radioactivity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Alternatively,dose calculation sub-system156 performs all or a portion of this calculation.

For some applications,control unit500 authenticates mother vial license information read fromdata carrier106, in order to verify that a license is available for dispensing the requested dose. Dispensing proceeds only if a license is available and authenticated. The use of such a license generally provides increased quality control of the imaging process, by verifying that only approved manufacturers (or distributors) are able to provide radiopharmaceutical agents for use withsystem10. A lack of precision in any aspect of an imaging procedure, which may result from the use of an agent that has not been tested and approved for use withsystem10, often causes a deterioration of the resultant image quality and/or ability to make accurate and/or quantitative diagnoses.

Control unit500 actuatesrobot502 to pick up an emptyradiopharmaceutical agent container22 fromtray508. Typically, but not necessarily,container22 comprises a syringe, such as described hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 9A-H.Container22 has coupled thereto adata carrier120. For some applications,syringes506 andcontainers22 are stored in a single tray, as shown inFIG. 12, while for other applications, they are stored in separate trays.Robot502 typically authenticatescontainer22, by actuatingcommunication element504 to read authentication information stored indata carrier120 and/or verifying coded signature245 coupled to the container, as described hereinbelow in the section entitled “Signature.”

Robot502 removes the needle cap fromcontainer22, turns the container over, and bringscontainer22 to theappropriate mother vial104. The robot actuates the container to draw the calculated volume of labeled radiopharmaceutical agent from the mother vial, typically by inserting the needle ofcontainer22 through a membrane ofmother vial104, and withdrawing a plunger ofcontainer22 until the desired volume of agent has been drawn from the mother vial. The robot typically brings the syringe to dosecalibrator510 for quality control assaying of radioactivity. If necessary,robot502 bringscontainer22 to a saline vial514, and actuates the container to draw the required volume of saline solution into the container.Robot502 replaces the needle cap on the container, and turns the container over. Alternatively, saline solution is drawn prior to drawing the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent frommother vial104. For some applications, a needle of thecontainer22 is changed between drawings.

For dispensing a cocktail of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, each having a respective dose,robot502 repeats these steps for a plurality ofmother vials104, typically changing the needle ofcontainer22 between drawings. During dispensing of such a cocktail,robot502 typically draws first from the mother vial containing the lower or lowest radiation labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, such as to reduce any effect the assaying of the first agent may have on the assaying of the subsequent agent(s).

System20 typically performs a quality control check on the dispensed radiopharmaceutical solution to confirm that the solution contains the desired dose(s) of the radiopharmaceutical agent(s) and radioactivity level.

Control unit500 activatescommunication element504 to write radiopharmaceutical information todata carrier120 ofcontainer22, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 8 and step118 ofFIG. 2. For some applications, the data carrier is coupled to the container prior to placement of the container in dispensingsystem20, while for other applications,robot502 couples a data carrier to each container during or after the dispensing process. Similarly, for some applications in which codedsignature256 is provided, the coded signature is attached tocontainer22 prior to placement of the container in dispensingsystem20, while for other applications,robot502 couples a coded signature to each container during or after the dispensing process.

Robot502 brings the filled container to ashield body tray530, and inserts the container into acontainer shield532. The robot picks up ashield cap534 from ashield cap tray536, and secures it tocontainer shield532. For some applications,data carrier120 is coupled to shield532 orcap534, rather than directly tocontainer22. Alternatively,separate data carriers120 are coupled to the container and the shield or cap.

In an embodiment of the present invention, dispensingsystem20 comprises aprint area540, at which dispensingsystem20 prints and attaches at least one conventional label tocontainer22,shield532, and/orcap534, in order to comply with regulatory labeling requirements. The dispensing system typically prints yet another conventional label for placement on a basket that holds a plurality ofcontainers22 for transport within or between healthcare facilities.

After the dispensing ofcontainer22 has been completed,robot502 brings the container to a completed container tray (tray not shown in the figure).

In an embodiment of the present invention, dispensingsystem20 comprises at least one diluted mother vial which has a greater volume than a conventional mother vial. For example, the diluted mother vial may have a volume of at least about 10 ml, e.g., at least about 20 ml, such as 21 ml, while a conventional mother vial may have a volume of less than 10 ml, e.g., less than 7 ml, such as 5.8 ml. The labeled radiopharmaceutical agent solution from a conventionally-sized mother vial104 is transferred to the diluted mother vial, and the balance of the additional volume of the diluted mother vial is filled with saline solution. The resulting diluted solution is used by dispensingsystem20 to fillcontainers22 with low-dose labeled radiopharmaceutical agents useful for performing low-dose imaging procedures, such as those described in the above-mentioned International Application IL/2005/001173, in above-mentioned PCT Publication WO 05/119025, or in one or more of the other co-assigned patent applications incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the resulting lower-dose solution is used for time-dependent administration protocols, pursuant to which a desired total dose is divided into several sub-doses for sequential administration over time. For mechanical handling and administration reasons, each sub-dose must have a minimum volume, e.g., at least 1 ml.

The information contained indata carrier106 of conventionally-sized mother vial104 is transferred to adata carrier106 of the dilution mother vial, with appropriate adjustments to reflect the diluted dose of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatically dispensing a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent comprises providing a mother vial having a volume of at least 10 ml, e.g., at least 20 ml; filling the mother vial with at least 5 ml of a non-diluted labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and with at least 5 ml of saline solution; placing the mother vial in automatedradiopharmaceutical dispensing system20; and dispensing at least one dose from the mother vial to a container. For some applications, dispensingsystem20 further dilutes the dose by dispensing saline solution to the container from a saline solution container.

It is noted that dispensingsystem20 is theoretically able to dispense similar low doses tocontainers22 by drawing a small volume of labeled radiopharmaceutical agent from a conventionally-sized mother vial, and diluting the agent with saline solution drawn fromsaline vial512, as described above. However, the drawing of such a small volume may present mechanical challenges for achieving precise volumes within acceptable variations.

Reference is made toFIGS. 13A-C, which are schematic illustrations of a system for carrying out a data transfer process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, information is transferred directly fromdata carrier106 ofmother vial104 todata carrier120 ofcontainer22 whilecontainer22 draws the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent frommother vial104. As shown inFIG. 13A,container22 is lowered to mother vial104 (which is contained within shielding520 of vials complex505), as indicated by anarrow522. As shown inFIG. 13B, ascontainer22 draws labeled radiopharmaceutical solution frommother vial104,data carrier120 of the container is positioned in a vicinity ofdata carrier106 of the mother vial.Container22 is raised frommother vial104, as indicated by anarrow524 inFIG. 13C. Information transfer takes place during one or more of the steps illustrated inFIGS. 13A-C.

For some applications, information is transferred todata carrier120 ofcontainer22 during assaying of the contents of the container atdose calibrator510.

In an embodiment of the present invention, dispensingsystem20 is configured to dispense to a plurality ofcontainers22 for a single patient, or to a plurality of independent chambers within a single container22 (such as first andsecond chambers282A and282B, described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 9C). For some applications, the plurality of containers are permanently coupled to one another, while for other applications the plurality of containers are removably coupled to one another. Alternatively, the plurality of containers are not coupled to one another, in which case they may be stored in association with one another, e.g., in a single tray.

For some applications, dispensingsystem20 utilizes one or more of the dispensing techniques described in the references mentioned hereinabove in the Background of the Invention section, mutatis mutandis.

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 does not comprise dispensingsystem20.System10 is instead electronically or manually interfaced with a conventional radiopharmacy.Patient management system160 places orders with the radiopharmacy for a particular dose of a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for a particular patient. Upon dispensing of the dose into a conventional container, such as a syringe,data carrier120 is physically coupled to the container, and information is written to the data carrier, such as the identity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the time of dispensing, the measured radioactivity level, and/or other information described herein as being contained in the data carrier, such as with reference toFIG. 8. For some applications,system10 comprises a module for automatically measuring the radioactivity level and recording the information in the data carrier. Optionally, the module is in communication withsystem10, such as viamanagement control component150, and receives additional patient-specific or protocol-related information fromsystem10, and records the information indata carrier120. For some applications, the radiopharmacy dispenses the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to one of the novelradiopharmaceutical agent containers22 described herein.

The Radioisotope Elution System

Reference is made toFIG. 14, which is a schematic illustration of a radioisotopeautomatic elution system600, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.System600 automatically elutes a radioisotope, such as technetium Tc-99m, intoradioisotope vials610. The radioisotope is used for radiolabeling the unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent, as described hereinabove with reference to step110 ofFIG. 2.Vials610 are coupled toradioisotope data carriers612 containing information about the radioisotope, such as a vial code, the time of preparation, the activity at the time of preparation, and total solution volume.Labels612 are computer-communicatable, and typically comprise an RFID tag, smart card, memory card (such as a disk-on-key (e.g., a USB key)), compact disc, minidisk, disposable computer-readable medium, or other electronic memory, or a machine-readable code, e.g., a computer-readable scannable label, such as a barcode, two-dimensional bar code, or color-coded code. For some applications, information contained indata carrier612 is encrypted for enabling authentication. Alternatively or additionally,data carrier612 and/orvial610 comprise codedsignature256, as described hereinabove. The coded signature typically comprises an encrypted signature and/or a color-coded signature, as described hereinbelow in the section entitled “Signature.”

The automatic elution process typically begins with a determination by dose calculation system152 (FIG. 5) of an optimal elution frequency, for example:

18 hours, 6 hours, 18 hours, 6 hours, . . . ;

23 hours, 1 hour, 23 hours, 1 hour, . . . ;

18 hours, 1 hour, 5 hours, 18 hours, 1 hour, 5 hours, . . . ; or

18 hours, 6 hours, 23 hours, 1 hour, 18 hours, 6 hours, 23 hours, 1 hour, . . . .

Dose calculation system152 electronically notifies acontrol system616 ofelution system600 of the desired elution frequency. For applications in which the radioisotope comprises Tc-99m, it will be appreciated that the ratio of Tc-99 to Tc-99m, which is determined by the elution frequency, is important for molecular imaging by an antibody, and there is generally an optimal range of the ratio of Tc-99 to Tc-99m, which should be taken into consideration when preparing Tc-99m with an antibody. Typically,control system616 comprises one or more standard personal computers or servers with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the control system in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM.

Sterile,empty vials610 of predetermined volumes (e.g., 10 ml or 20 ml), and typically comprisingcaps618, are placed on aconveyor belt620. Afirst robot622 places ashield624 on eachvial610. Alternatively, thevials610 are manually shielded.Conveyor belt620 moves shieldedvial610 into position under aradioisotope generator626, such as a TC-99m generator. At a required elution time, asecond robot628 lifts the shieldedempty vial610, and, under sterile conditions, removescap618 and engages the shieldedempty vial610 withgenerator626.

Upon engagement ofvial610 withgenerator626, both a firstelectronic valve630 of asaline tank632 and a secondelectronic valve634 ofgenerator626 open, andvial610 is filled, while aflow meter636 monitors the amount of saline flow. After flow of a predetermined volume,control system616 automatically shuts firstelectronic valve630 ofsaline tank632 and secondelectronic valve634 ofgenerator626.

Filled, shieldedvial610 is automatically disengaged fromgenerator626, and is automatically sealed under sterile conditions with a shieldedseal638. Filled, shieldedvial610 is lowered back toconveyor belt620. The conveyor belt moves filled, shieldedvial610 past an assaying andlabeling station640, which assays and labels the vial withdata carrier612, abarcode642, and/orcoded signature256. For some applications, codedsignature256 is placed ondata carrier612, while for other applications it is placed onvial610. For still other applications, separatecoded signatures256 are placed on bothvial610 anddata carrier612, and are used to match the vial with the data carrier. For example, a color-coded signature may be printed onvial610, either prior to the elution or together with the application ofdata carrier612, and an encrypted signature may be stored in thedata carrier612. Alternatively, the encrypted signature may be printed.

It will be appreciated that the elution process is subject to modifications and alterations based on communication and information that is received fromsystem10. For example, a log book ofelution system600 may specify a Tc-99m vial of 1000 mCi, yet a communication request fromdose calculation system152 may modify the order to be a Tc-99m vial of 200 mCi, based on new requirements, e.g., low-dose administration.

The Mother Vial Preparation System

Reference is made toFIG. 15, which is a schematic illustration of a mothervial preparation system700, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.System700 automatically labelsmother vials104, containing unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agents, with appropriate radioisotopes.System700 attaches adata carrier106 to eachmother vial104, and writes the information to the data carrier that is described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 7. Alternatively, the manufacturer or distributor attachesdata carrier106 tomother vial104, and writes at least a portion of the information to the carrier.

Prior to beginning the radiolabeling process, acontrol unit702 ofsystem700 authenticatesradioisotope vial610 andmother vial104, and verifies thatradioisotope vial610 contains the correct radioisotope at the correct radioactivity, and thatmother vial104 contains the correct unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent. For some applications, such authentication and/or verification is performed by authenticating codedsignature256 ofdata carrier612 ofradioisotope vial610. For some applications, such authentication includes authentication of a commercial license associated with the use ofmother vial104. Typically,control unit702 comprises one or more standard personal computers or servers with appropriate memory, communication interfaces and software for carrying out the functions prescribed by relevant embodiments of the present invention. This software may be downloaded to the control unit in electronic form over a network, for example, or it may alternatively be supplied on tangible media, such as CD-ROM.

Conveyor belt620 carries shieldedradioisotope vial610 from radioisotopeautomatic elution system600 to mothervial preparation system700. Alternatively, for embodiments in whichelution system600 is not provided, the radioisotope vial is manually placed onconveyor belt620. The conveyor belt bringsvial610 to aradioisotope filling point710.

System700 typically comprises a plurality ofdose preparation platforms712, each of which contains premixedmother vials104 containing unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agents that require radiolabeling with the radioisotope contained inradioisotope vial610, e.g., Tc-99m. In the example shown inFIG. 15,preparation platforms712 comprise a Tc-99m-teboroxime dose preparation platform, a Tc-99m-pertechnetate dose preparation platform, a Tc-99m-sestamibi dose preparation platform, and a Tc-99m-MDP dose preparation platform.

Arobot720 picks up asyringe722 from afirst syringe platform724, or a micro-syringe726 from asecond syringe platform728, and travels along asecond conveyer belt730 to fillingpoint710. It will be appreciated that other types syringes and/or other dispensing tools may also be used. Upon reachingfilling point710,syringe722 or726 draws a predetermined amount of radioisotope solution fromradioisotope vial610. The robot typically travels to anassay station732, which assays the radioisotope solution.Syringe722 or726 is then discarded at a discardstation734.

Robot720 picks up anothersyringe722 or726 from theplatform724 or728, fills the syringe with a predetermined amount of the radioisotope fromvial610, and travels alongsecond conveyor belt730 to one ofdose preparation platforms712. At the dose preparation platform, the syringe injects a predetermined amount of radioisotope intomother vial104 of the dose preparation platform, thereby labeling the unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained in the mother vial.

Robot720 discards the syringe at discardstation734, picks up a new syringe, draws a predetermined amount of solution from labeledmother vial104, and assays the solution atassay station732, in order to determine the radioactivity of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained inmother vial104. Following the assaying,robot720 discards the syringe at discardstation734. Typically,system700 performs one or more quality control procedures on the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

System700updates data carrier106 ofmother vial104 with radiolabeling information, such as the time of labeling, and the activity of the radioisotope at the time of labeling, the total solution volume in the mother vial, and the ratio of radioisotopes (e.g., Tc-99m to Tc-99) at the time of labeling, for applications in which the unlabeled radiopharmaceutical agent is labeled with more than one radioisotope.

It is noted thatsystem700 is configurable to vary a radioactivity of the radioisotope used to label a given radiopharmaceutical agent in order to produce labeled radiopharmaceutical agents of various levels of radioactivity (for example, Tc-99m-teboroxime of 500 mCi and Tc-99m-teboroxime of 50 mCi). For some applications,system700 comprises at least one cocktaildose preparation platform736, for labeling a cocktail of radiopharmaceutical agents (for example, Tl-201-thallous chloride, Tc-99m-sestamibi, and I-123-BMIPP).

It will be appreciated that the mother vial preparation process is subject to modifications and alterations based on communication and information that is received fromsystem10. For example, a log book ofsystem700 may specify a mother vial of 500 mCi, yet a communication request fromdose calculation system152 may modify the order to be a mother vial of 200 mCi, based on new requirements, e.g., low-dose administration.

The Exercise Room

In an embodiment of the present invention,system10 comprises at least one exercise room, which comprises one or more pieces of exercise equipment, typically including at least one treadmill. The exercise room, and the equipment therein, is typically in communication with one or more elements ofsystem10, such as patient-specific data carrier24, management andcontrol component150,administration system26,data carrier120 ofradiopharmaceutical agent container22, and/orimaging system28. For example, the exercise room may report the duration, time, and type of exercise toimaging system28,administration system26, and/ormanagement control component150, for synchronizing the exercise with administration and imaging. For some applications, the exercise room receives instructions regarding the duration, time, and/or type of exercise to be performed for a given patient, and schedules an appropriate exercise session in a log book. For some applications, the exercise room sends the patient an SMS-like message notifying the patient of the scheduled session, and/or reminding the patient about a scheduled session. For some applications in whichdata carrier24 is integrated into watch orbracelet170, as described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 3, watch orbracelet170 is configured to receive and display the SMS-like message to the patient.

Signature

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, codedsignature256 comprises a signature encrypted using an encryption algorithm, which is either proprietary or known in the art, e.g., Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Data Encryption Standard (DES), or Triple DES (3DES). Typically, the encryption algorithm utilizes a symmetric key cipher, as is known in the art.

For some applications, codedsignature256 is stored in one of the data carriers described herein. Alternatively or additionally, the coded signature is printed on the apparatus, e.g., as a computer-readable scannable label, such as a barcode, two-dimensional bar code, or color-coded code.

For some applications, codedsignature256 comprises a color-coded signature, which is implemented using techniques described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. Application Publication 2004/0156081 to Bril et al. Techniques described in the '081 publication include the use of an encrypted image comprising an array of printed positions formed using a group of inks each of which has a predetermined spectrum. The positions are selected to form a predetermined image, either real or virtual, when the image is viewed through an optical processor. The optical processor may further use a distortion, such as a distorted grating or a distorted lens. The correct image is the spectrum, as distorted by the optical processor. An image formed using inks having the same colors as experienced by the human eye, or even by a standard spectrometer, will fail to form the correct predetermined image. Alternatively or additionally, special inks may be used, so that no two ink combinations are exactly alike, and only registered ink combinations provide the correct spectrum. Furthermore, the special inks may be mixtures of 5 or more colors.

FIG. 16A illustratescolor spectra800 of several dyes, for example dyes B, D1, G, D2, and R, each having a well-defined spectral peak, as described in the '081 publication. When dye B and dye G are mixed, the human eye may see a color substantially the same as the color of dye D1. When dye D1 and dye D2 are mixed, the human eye may see a color substantially the same as the color of dye G.

FIG. 16B illustrates a color-codedsignature802, as described in the '081 publication. Acolor patch804, which to the human eye may seem a plain orange, for example, may have afirst portion806A, consisting of dye B and dye G, combined to form a hue which is substantially the same as that of dye D1, and asecond portion806B, consisting of dye D1. To the human eye, the color-codedsignature802 appears as a homogeneous patch.

Anoptical processor820 comprises an imaging spectrograph, which comprises a grating822 and, typically, alens824. In the example shown inFIG. 16B, the spectrograph produces three structures: astructure821 formed by diffraction of dye D1 through the grating, astructure823 formed by diffraction of dye G, and astructure825 formed by diffraction of dye B. Optical processor220 thus reveals the authentic spectra of the color-codedsignature802.

For some applications,optical processor820 comprises twolenses824 of substantially equal power, one to create a parallel beam at the input to the grating, just before the grating, and one to create an image at the focal point after the grating. Alternatively, asingle lens824, having twice the power of the two lenses, may be placed just before or just after the grating.

For some applications, a more complex color coding is achieved by using a distorted lens or a distorted grating, such thatspectral structure821,823, and825 may be reproduced only when an optical processor having the exact distortion is used. It will be appreciated that a single hue may be produced by mixing several dyes, for example, 3, 5, or 10. It will be appreciated that each printing house may be allocated only a specific mix of dyes, so that no two printing houses may have identical dye combinations, and no two printing houses may reproduce the same color-codedsignatures802.

For some applications, color-codedsignature802 is printed directly on an element ofsystem10, for example, on radiopharmaceutical agent container22 (FIG. 1), or on radioisotope vial610 (FIG. 14). Alternatively or additionally, a label, for example, mothervial data carrier106 or data carrier120 (FIG. 1) is color-coded, or includes a color-coded patch or pattern, operative as color-codedsignature802.

For some applications, anencrypted signature256 and a color-codedsignature802 are combined. The resulting color-coded machine-readable signature256 is authenticated byoptical processor820. For example, an encrypted signature may be provided on a label colored with a coded color. Alternatively or additionally,encrypted signature256 is printed on a color-coded background, or with color-coded dyes. Alternatively or additionally, codedsignature256 comprises a color-coded barcode. For some applications, the color-coded barcode may appear black or another color to the eye, but reveal a unique spectrum tooptical processor820. For some applications, the color-coded machine-readable signature further comprises a date, to prevent the recycling or re-use of signatures.

Physical Key

Reference is made toFIG. 17, which is a schematic illustration of a computer-readable medium850, a portion of which is shaped so as to define aphysical key852, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Acommunication element854 is shaped so as to define adedicated slot856 having a geometry matching that ofkey852. Only keys having the particular geometry ofslot856 can be inserted into the slot.Key852 thus enables authentication of computer-readable medium850. Computer-readable medium850 may comprise, for example, a disk-on-key apparatus or a chip, having, for example, a USB-type connector.

For some applications, patient-specific data carrier24 comprises computer-readable medium850, and a communication element ofimaging system28 and/oradministration system26 is shaped so as to defineslot856. Alternatively or additionally, healthcareworker identity tag208 comprises computer-readable medium850, andworkstation200,elution system600, dispensingsystem20,administration system26, and/orimaging system28 is shaped so as to defineslot856. For some applications, computer-readable medium850 further comprises codedsignature256, as described hereinabove, while for other applications, key852 is relied upon in lieu of codedsignature256.

For some applications, authentication, as described herein, is alternatively or additionally based on additional parameters, such as a manufacturer's attribute.

In an embodiment of the present invention, information is transferred from one element ofsystem10 to another element thereof by physically transferring an electronic information-carrying chip from one element to the other. For example, upon administration of the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent contained incontainer22, information may be transferred fromdata carrier120 to patient-specific data carrier24 by physically transferring a memory chip ofdata carrier120 todata carrier24.

Managing Compton Residuals

Reference is made toFIG. 18, which is a graph showing particle energy vs. photon count at adetector494 ofcamera492 of imaging system28 (FIG. 11), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,dose calculation sub-system156 of radiopharmaceuticaldose calculation system152, described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 5, takes Compton residuals into consideration when calculating doses of a first and a second labeled radiopharmaceutical agent to be mixed together in a cocktail, or to be separately administered for the same image acquisition procedure. If the first agent were to be provided at a relatively high dose and the second agent were to be provided at a lower dose, the first agent would produce afirst peak900A around a first energy level E¹, and the second agent would produce asecond peak902 around a second energy level E². A Compton residual904A produced by the first agent at least partially maskssecond peak902. For some applications, in order to prevent such masking,dose calculation sub-system156 reduces the dose of the first agent, thereby producing afirst peak900B and a corresponding Compton residual904B having lower counts than initialfirst peak900A and Compton residual904A, respectively. Compton residual904B is sufficiently low so as not to masksecond peak902. By using techniques described hereinabove and/or incorporated herein by reference,camera492 is sufficiently sensitive to acquire sufficient counts emitted from the lower dose of the second agent. For example, the first and second agents may comprise MIBI-Tc and thallium, respectively, which emit energy at 140 KeV and 72 KeV, respectively.

Alternatively,calculation sub-system156 determines that the dose of the first labeled radiopharmaceutical agent cannot be reduced sufficiently to prevent such Compton masking. To make such a determination, the sub-system typically takes into consideration constraints applied by the physical properties of the first agent, patient-specific information, and/orcamera492. The sub-system may thus determine that the two agents must be prepared as separate doses for non-simultaneous administration. Alternatively, the sub-system determines that the dose of the second agent is to be increased, so as to prevent the masking. To make such a determination, the sub-system typically takes into consideration constraints applied by the physical properties of the first agent, patient-specific information,camera492, and/or safety and/or regulatory requirements.

Information-Bearing Radiopharmaceuticals

In an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the patient, radiopharmaceutical, and/or protocol information described herein is chemically stored together with a labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in a container, such asradiopharmaceutical agent container22 ormother vial104. For some applications, such information is chemically stored by providing a chemical indicative of and/or encoding the information, and mixing the chemical with the radiopharmaceutical agent. Alternatively, such information is chemically stored by attaching a chemical marker indicative of the information to the radiopharmaceutical agent, or otherwise chemically modifying the radiopharmaceutical agent to store the information. The information-indicative chemical indicator (i.e., chemical or chemical marker) has properties which are machine-readable, for example, using optical, spectral, fluorescence, or isotope emission techniques.

For some applications, the information is stored by setting a level of a parameter of the chemical indicator, such as concentration or radioactivity, which level is indicative of the information. For example, a plurality ofconcentrations 0, A₁, A₂, A₃, . . . , A_maxmay be defined, each of which represents a respective value. At all of the defined concentrations, the chemical indicator is biologically inert and/or safe in the body, and does not affect the sterility and/or properties of the radiopharmaceutical agent. The plurality of concentrations are sufficiently different from one another so as to be independently measurable and identifiable, such as by measuring a spectral signature of the chemical indicator. For some applications, a plurality of different chemical indicators are used, each of which has defined levels of a parameter representing respective values. The values represented by the plurality of chemical indicators together represent the information.

For some applications, the level of the parameter of the chemical indicator changes over time, e.g., the radioactivity of the chemical indicator declines because of radioactive decay, thereby providing an indication of elapsed time. Such elapsed time may be used, for example, to determine the timing of preparation of the radiopharmaceutical agent and/or subsequent processes, as well as validating whether such timing is within an allowed time window.

For some applications, dispensingsystem20 applies the code to the labeled radiopharmaceutical agent and/orcontainer22 during the dispensing process, andadministration system26 and/orimaging system28 reads and verifies the stored information. A dedicated reader may be provided for such reading, or a camera ofimaging system28 may be configured to perform such reading.

The scope of the present invention includes embodiments described in the following applications, which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference. In an embodiment, techniques and apparatus described in one or more of the following applications are combined with techniques and apparatus described herein:

• • International Application PCT/IL2005/001173, filed Nov. 9, 2005;
  • International Application PCT/IL2005/000572, filed Jun. 1, 2005;
  • International Application PCT/IL2005/000575, filed Jun. 1, 2005;
  • International Application PCT/IL2005/001215, filed Nov. 16, 2005, which published as PCT Publication WO 06/054296;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/625,971, filed Nov. 9, 2004;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/628,105, filed Nov. 17, 2004;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/630,561, filed Nov. 26, 2004;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/632,236, filed Dec. 2, 2004;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/632,515, filed Dec. 3, 2004;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/635,630, filed Dec. 14, 2004;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/636,088, filed Dec. 16, 2004;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/640,215, filed Jan. 3, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/648,385, filed Feb. 1, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/648,690, filed Feb. 2, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/675,892, filed Apr. 29, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/691,780, filed Jun. 20, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/700,318, filed Jul. 19, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/700,299, filed Jul. 19, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/700,317, filed Jul. 19, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/700,753, filed Jul. 20, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/700,752, filed Jul. 20, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/702,979, filed Jul. 28, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/720,034, filed Sep. 26, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/720,652, filed Sep. 27, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/720,541, filed Sep. 27, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/750,287, filed Dec. 13, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/750,334, filed Dec. 15, 2005;
  • U.S. Provisional Application 60/750,597, filed Dec. 15, 2005;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/799,688, filed May 11, 2006;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/800,845, filed May 17, 2006, entitled, “Radioimaging camera for dynamic studies”;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/800,846, filed May 17, 2006, entitled, “Radioimaging protocols”;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/763,458, filed Jan. 31, 2006;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/741,440, filed Dec. 2, 2005;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/034,007, filed Jan. 13, 2005, which issued as
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  • U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/641,973, filed Aug. 21, 2000;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/750,294, filed Dec. 13, 2005 (this application has not been assigned to the assignee of the present application; an assignment is in the process of being executed and filed);
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/816,970, filed Jun. 28, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000059, filed Jan. 15, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2005/000048, filed Jan. 13, 2005;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL03/00917, filed Nov. 4, 2003;
  • Israel Patent Application 172349, filed Nov. 27, 2005; and
  • Israel Patent Application 171346, filed Oct. 10, 2005.
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000562, filed May 11, 2006;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/799,688, filed May 11, 2006;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/816,970, filed Jun. 28, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/001511, filed Dec. 28, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/001291, filed Nov. 29, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000834, filed Jul. 19, 2006;
  • International Patent Application PCT/IL2006/000840, filed Jul. 19, 2006;
  • U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/754,199, filed Dec. 28, 2005;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/607,075, filed Dec. 1, 2006;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/656,548, filed Jan. 13, 2005; and/or
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/533,568, filed Nov. 4, 2003.

As used in the present application, including in the claims, a “clinical environment” means any facility or institution in which at least one of radiopharmaceutical preparation, dispensing, and administration occur, including, for example, a radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, a pharmacy, a hospital, a doctor's clinic, a day clinic, an out-patient clinic, a laboratory, and a geriatric center.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims (67)

The invention claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the apparatus comprising:

a container containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient;

a portable computer-communicatable data carrier associated with the container, the data carrier containing:

an identifier of the patient, and

imaging protocol information indicative of steps of an imaging procedure, for use with the patient and the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent; and

an imaging system, which is configured to receive the imaging protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises:

a camera; and

an imaging control unit, which is configured to drive the camera to perform the steps of the imaging procedure responsively to the imaging protocol information received from the data carrier,

wherein the apparatus is characterized by a property selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the data carrier comprises a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient, and the container is labeled with the identifier of the patient,

(b) the data carrier is physically coupled to the container, and

(c) the apparatus further comprises a portable joining element, which is configured to be coupled to the container, and the data carrier is physically coupled to the portable joining element.

2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the data carrier additionally contains administration protocol information useful for administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

3. The apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the administration protocol information and the imaging protocol information specify a protocol using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, which protocol has a total duration, including administration and image acquisition, of less than 30 minutes, and includes at least one rest phase and at least one stress phase, and further comprising an administration system, which is configured to receive the administration protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises an administration control unit, which is configured to generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in accordance with the administration protocol information received from the data carrier.

4. The apparatus according toclaim 1,

wherein the imaging protocol information indicative of the steps of the imaging procedure comprises instructions for performing the imaging procedure using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and

wherein the imaging control unit is configured to drive the camera to perform the steps of the imaging procedure by executing the instructions of the imaging protocol information.

5. The apparatus according toclaim 1,

wherein the imaging protocol information indicative of the steps of the imaging procedure comprises an identifier of an imaging protocol, and

wherein the imaging control unit is configured to drive the camera to perform the steps of the imaging procedure responsively to the identifier of the imaging protocol.

6. The apparatus according toclaim 1,

wherein the data carrier comprises a first data carrier, which contains a first identifier value,

wherein the apparatus further comprises a second computer-communicatable data carrier, which contains a second identifier value, and

wherein the apparatus is configured to operate responsively to a detection of a correspondence between the first and second identifier values.

7. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the apparatus is characterized by the property that the apparatus further comprises the portable joining element, which is configured to be coupled to the container, and the data carrier is physically coupled to the joining element.

8. The apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent includes a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, wherein the container comprises a plurality of containers containing respective ones of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and wherein the imaging protocol information contained in the data carrier is for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

9. The apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the joining element comprises tubing, which is configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the plurality of containers.

10. The apparatus according toclaim 8, further comprising an administration system, which is configured to receive the administration protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises an administration control unit, which is configured to generate administration signals that trigger administration to the patient of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents stored in the plurality of containers.

11. The apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the data carrier additionally contains administration protocol information useful for administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and further comprising an administration system, which is configured to receive the administration protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises an administration control unit, which is configured to generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in accordance with the administration protocol information received from the data carrier.

12. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the apparatus is characterized by the property that the data carrier comprises the coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient, and the container is labeled with the identifier of the patient.

13. The apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the coupling mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: a bracelet, a watch, and a necklace.

14. The apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a wearable article.

15. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the data carrier comprises circuitry.

16. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the data carrier comprises a computer-communicable element selected from the group consisting of: an RFID tag, a smart card, and a disk-on-key.

17. The apparatus according toclaim 1,

wherein the data carrier comprises a first data carrier,

wherein the apparatus is characterized by a property selected from the group consisting of:

(b) the first data carrier is physically coupled to the container, and

(c) the apparatus further comprises the portable joining element, which is configured to be coupled to the container, and the first data carrier is physically coupled to the joining element, and

wherein the apparatus further comprises a second portable computer-communicatable data carrier, which comprises the coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient.

18. The apparatus according toclaim 1,

wherein the imaging protocol information specifies a SPECT protocol using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, which protocol has an image acquisition duration of less than 6 minutes,

wherein the camera comprises a SPECT camera, and

wherein the imaging control unit is configured to drive the SPECT camera to perform a SPECT imaging procedure in accordance with the protocol having the image acquisition duration of less than 6 minutes.

19. Apparatus for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the apparatus comprising:

a container containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient;

a portable computer-communicatable data carrier associated with the container, the data carrier containing:

an identifier of the patient,

imaging protocol information, for use with the patient and the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and

administration protocol information useful fox administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent,

wherein the administration protocol information and the imaging protocol information specify a protocol using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, which protocol has a total duration, including administration and image acquisition, of less than 30 minutes, and includes at least one rest phase and at least one stress phase;

an imaging system, which is configured to receive the imaging protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises:

a camera; and

an imaging control unit, which is configured to drive the camera to perform an imaging procedure, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information received from the data carrier; an

an administration system, which is configured to receive the administration protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises an administration control unit, which is configured to generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent accordance with the administration protocol information received from the data carrier,

wherein the apparatus characterize by a property selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the data carrier comprises a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient, and the contained is labeled with the identifier of the patient,

(b) the data carrier is physically coupled to the container, and

(c) the apparatus further comprises a portable joining element, which is configured to be coupled to the container, and the data carrier is physically coupled to the portable joining element.

20. The apparatus according toclaim 19, wherein the administration system further comprises an automated administration device, to which the container is operatively coupled, and which is configured to administer the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in response to the administration signal.

21. The apparatus according toclaim 19, wherein the total duration, including administration and image acquisition, is less than 20 minutes.

22. Apparatus for use with a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, the apparatus comprising:

a container shaped so as to define a plurality of chambers, each of which contains a respective one of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents for administration to a patient;

a portable computer-communicatable data carrier physically coupled to the container, the data carrier containing:

an identifier of the patient,

imaging protocol information for use with the patient and the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents,

administration protocol information useful for administering the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents; and

an administration system, which is configured to receive the administration protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises an administration control unit, which is configured to generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents from the plurality of chambers, in accordance with the administration protocol information received from the data carrier.

23. The apparatus according toclaim 22, further comprising an imaging system, which is configured to receive the imaging protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises:

a camera; and

an imaging control unit, which is configured to drive the camera to perform an imaging procedure using the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier.

24. Apparatus for use with a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of containers respectively containing the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents;

a portable joining element, which is configured to be coupled to the containers;

a portable computer-communicatable data carrier physically coupled to the portable joining element, the data carrier containing imaging protocol information for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and administration protocol information for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents; and

an administration system, which is configured to receive the administration protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises an administration control unit, which is configured to generate an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents stored in the plurality of containers, in accordance with the administration protocol information received from the data carrier.

25. The apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein the portable joining element comprises tubing, which is configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the plurality of containers.

26. The apparatus according toclaim 25, wherein at least a portion of the tubing of joining element is shaped so as to define a manifold.

27. The apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein the administration protocol information comprises instructions for performing an administration procedure using the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

28. The apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein the administration protocol information comprises an identifier of an administration protocol.

29. The apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein the data carrier comprises a computer-communicable element selected from the group consisting of: an RFID tag, a smart card, and a disk-on-key.

30. The apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein the administration system further comprises an automated administration device, to which the containers are operatively coupled, and which is configured to administer the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents to the patient in response to the administration signal.

31. The apparatus according toclaim 24, further comprising an imaging system, which is configured to receive the imaging protocol information from the data carrier, and which comprises an imaging control unit, which is configured to drive the camera to perform an imaging procedure, and to configure the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier.

32. The apparatus according toclaim 31,

wherein the imaging protocol information comprises instructions for performing an imaging procedure using the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and

wherein the imaging control unit is configured to perform the imaging procedure by executing the instructions of the imaging protocol information.

33. The apparatus according toclaim 31,

wherein the imaging protocol information comprises an identifier of an imaging protocol, and

wherein the imaging control unit is configured to perform the imaging procedure responsively to the identifier of the imaging protocol.

34. A method comprising:

placing in a container at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient;

associating a portable computer-communicatable data carrier with the container;

writing by a device, to the data carrier, an identifier of the patient, and imaging protocol information indicative of steps of an imaging procedure, for use with the patient and the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent;

reading the imaging protocol information from the data carrier; and

performing the steps to the imaging procedure responsibility to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier,

wherein the method is characterized by a property selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the data carrier comprises a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient, and associating comprises labeling the container with the identifier of the patient,

(b) associating the data carrier with the container comprises physically coupling the data carrier to the container, and

(c) associating the data carrier with the container comprises coupling the container to a portable joining element, and physically coupling the data carrier to the joining element.

35. The method according toclaim 34, comprising writing, to the data carrier, administration protocol information useful for administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent.

36. The method according toclaim 35, wherein the administration protocol information and the imaging protocol information specify a protocol using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, which protocol has a total duration, including administration and image acquisition, of less than 30 minutes, and includes at least one rest phase and at least one stress phase, and further comprising:

reading the administration protocol information from the data carrier; and

generating an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in accordance with the administration protocol information read from the data carrier.

37. The method according toclaim 34,

wherein writing the imaging protocol information indicative of the steps of the imaging procedure comprises writing instructions for performing an imaging procedure using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and

wherein performing the steps of the imaging procedure comprises executing the instructions of the imaging protocol information.

38. The method according toclaim 34,

wherein writing the imaging protocol information indicative of the steps of the imaging procedure comprises writing an identifier of an imaging protocol, and

wherein performing the steps of the imaging procedure comprises performing the steps of the imaging procedure responsively to the identifier of the imaging protocol.

39. The method according toclaim 34, wherein associating the data carrier comprises associating a first data carrier with the container, and wherein the method comprises:

writing a first identifier value to the first data carrier;

writing a second identifier to a second computer-communicatable data carrier;

detecting a correspondence between the first and second identifier values; and

performing an operation responsively to the detecting.

40. The method according toclaim 34, wherein the method is characterized by the property that associating the data carrier with the container comprises:

coupling the container to a portable joining element; and

physically coupling the data carrier to the joining element.

41. The method according toclaim 40, wherein placing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in a container comprises placing a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents in a respective plurality of containers, wherein coupling the container comprises coupling the plurality of containers to the joining element, and wherein the imaging protocol information contained in the data carrier is for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

42. The method according toclaim 41, wherein the joining element includes tubing, and wherein coupling the plurality of containers to the joining element comprises coupling the tubing in fluid communication with the plurality of containers.

43. The method according toclaim 41, further comprising:

reading the administration protocol information from the data carrier; and

generating administration signals that trigger administration to the patient of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents stored in the plurality of containers.

44. The method according toclaim 40, further comprising:

writing, to the data carrier, administration protocol information useful for administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent;

reading the administration protocol information from the data carrier; and

generating an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in accordance with the administration protocol information read from the data carrier.

45. The method according toclaim 34, wherein the method is characterized by the property that associating the data carrier with the container comprises physically coupling the data carrier to the container.

46. The method according toclaim 34, wherein the method is characterized by the property that the data carrier comprises the coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient, and associating comprises labeling the container with the identifier of the patient.

47. The method according toclaim 46, wherein the coupling mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: a bracelet, a watch, and a necklace.

48. The method according toclaim 46, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a wearable article.

49. The method according toclaim 34, wherein the data carrier comprises circuitry.

50. The method according toclaim 34, wherein the data carrier comprises a computer-communicable element selected from the group consisting of: an RFID tag, a smart card, and a disk-on-key.

51. The method according toclaim 34,

wherein the data carrier comprises a first data carrier,

wherein the method is characterized by a property selected from the group consisting of:

(b) associating the data carrier with the container comprises physically coupling the data carrier to the container, and

(c) associating the data carrier with the container comprises coupling the container to a portable joining, and physically coupling the data carrier to the joining element, and

wherein the method further comprises providing a second portable computer-communicatable data carrier, which comprises the coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the patient.

52. The method according toclaim 34,

wherein the imaging protocol information specifies a SPECT protocol using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, which protocol has an image acquisition duration of less than 6 minutes,

wherein the imaging procedure is a SPECT imaging procedure, and

wherein performing the steps of the imaging procedure comprises perform the steps of the SPECT imaging procedure in accordance with the protocol having the image acquisition duration of less than 6 minutes.

53. A method comprising;

pacing in a container at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent for administration to a patient;

associating a portable computer-communicatable data carrier with the container;

writing by a device, to the data carrier, (a) an identifier of the patient, (b) imaging protocol information for use with the patient and the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and (c) administration protocol information useful for administering the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, wherein the administration protocol information and the imaging protocol information specify a protocol using the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent which protocol has a total duration, including administration and image acquisition, of less than 30 minutes, and includes at least one rest phase and at least one stress phase;

reading the imaging protocol information from the data carrier;

performing the imaging procedure responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier;

reading the administration protocol information from the data carrier; and

generating an administration signal that triggers administration to the patient of the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in accordance with the administration protocol information read from the data carrier,

wherein the method is characterized by a property selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the data carrier comprises a coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to the pain, and associating comprises labeling the container with the identifier of the patient,

(b) associating the data carrier with the container comprise physically coupling the data carrier to the container, and

(c) associating the data carrier with the container comprises coupling the container to a portable joining element, and physically coupling the data carrier to the portable joining element.

54. The method according toclaim 53, wherein generating the administration signal comprises driving an automated administration device, to which the container is operatively coupled, to administer the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent in response to the administration signal.

55. The method according toclaim 53, wherein the total duration, including administration and image acquisition, is less than 20 minutes.

56. A method comprising:

placing, in a container shaped so as to define a plurality of chambers, a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents in respective ones of the chambers;

physically coupling a portable computer-communicatable data carrier to the container;

writing by a device, to the data carrier, (a) an identifier of a patient, (b) imaging protocol information for use with the patient and the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and (c) administration protocol information useful for administering the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents;

rendering the administration protocol information from the data carrier; and

generating administration signals that trigger administration to the patient of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agent from the plurality of chambers, in accordance with the administration protocol information read form the data carrier.

57. The method according toclaim 56, further comprising:

reading the imaging protocol information from the data carrier; and

performing the imaging procedure responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier.

58. A method comprising:

physically coupling a computer-communicatable data carrier to a portable joining element;

placing a plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents in a respective plurality of containers;

coupling the containers to the joining element;

writing by a device, to the data carrier, imaging protocol information for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and administration protocol information for use with the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agents;

reading the administration protocol information from the data carrier; and

generating administration signals that trigger administration to the patient of the plurality of labeled radiopharmaceutical agent from the plurality of containers, in accordance with the administration protocol information read from the data carrier.

59. The method according toclaim 58, wherein the joining element includes tubing, and wherein coupling the plurality of containers to the joining element comprises coupling the tubing in fluid communication with the plurality of containers.

60. The method according toclaim 58, wherein writing the administration protocol information comprises writing instructions for performing an administration procedure using the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents.

61. The method according toclaim 58, wherein writing the administration protocol information comprises writing an identifier of an imaging protocol.

62. The method according toclaim 58, wherein the data carrier comprises a computer-communicable element selected from the group consisting of: an RFID tag, a smart card, and a disk-on-key.

63. The method according toclaim 58, wherein generating the administration signals comprises driving an automated administration device, to which the containers are operatively coupled, to administer the labeled radiopharmaceutical agents to the patient in response to the administration signals.

64. The method according toclaim 58, further comprising:

reading the imaging protocol information from the data carrier; and

performing an imaging procedure, and configuring the procedure at least in part responsively to the imaging protocol information read from the data carrier.

65. The method according toclaim 64,

wherein the imaging protocol information comprises instructions for performing an imaging procedure using the one or more labeled radiopharmaceutical agents, and

wherein performing the imaging procedure comprises executing the instructions of the imaging protocol information.

66. The method according toclaim 64,

wherein the imaging protocol information comprises an identifier of an imaging protocol, and

wherein performing the imaging procedure comprises performing the imaging procedure responsively to the identifier of the imaging protocol.

67. The method according toclaim 58, wherein at least a portion of the tubing of joining element is shaped so as to define a manifold.

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